New Nordic Asia Podcast episode:
I spoke with Dr. Jeevan Baniya (Social Science Baha) about the grievances that brought young Nepalis into the streets and the role of 'Gen Z' in shaping present and future politics in Nepal.
@newbooksnetwork.bsky.social @cmi.no
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A final meeting between Gen Z reps, the Army Chief, and the President is pending. Balen, Kathmandu’s mayor and another favourite for interim leadership, instead signals support for Karki - seen as strategically positioning himself for future elections.
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From hiding, K.P. Oli releases a statement from Shivapuri, echoing rumours of a “deep conspiracy” behind the uprising.
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In true Gen Z fashion, 3,000+ youth join a Discord discussion on how to approach the Army meeting. Possible interim leaders are debated, with ex-Chief Justice Sushila Karki emerging as a frontrunner. Grassroots voting on leadership candidates is set for the next 24h.
Less than 24h after PM Oli resigned, the search for new leadership begins. The Army Chief invites protest reps to HQ for talks. The Gen Z movement is united by calls for democracy, accountability, and transparency - but has no single agenda or accepted leadership. Pressure builds to decide quickly.
Online, debates explode over infiltration and looting. Conspiracy theories about political groups fanning the violence spread, while TikToks from inside ransacked homes and burning offices go viral.
As casualties sink in, Gen Z youth are seen cleaning streets and public spaces, trying to restore order after yesterday’s rampage.
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So far, at least 30 people have died, including several policemen. Over 1,000 are injured, many critically. Among them is ex-PM J. Khanal’s wife, Chitrakar, who suffered severe burns in an arson attack.
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DAY 3 - Anti-corruption uprising in Nepal
After two days of protests and turmoil, people in Kathmandu and other cities woke up to the army taking control. Movement restricted by day; a new curfew announced until Thursday morning. Photo: Navesh Chitrakar
"The last days’ events in #Nepal, with their speed and scale, almost defy sense. But there are patterns from the past that will make themselves felt as Nepalis turn to the question of what next," writes Himal EIC @romangtm.bsky.social
Army Chief Gen. Ashok Raj Sigdel urged calm, announced the army would take control of streets from 10 PM local time. Later footage shows people being stopped and interrogated by soldiers.
Online calls circulate warning not to let the power vacuum fall into the hands of opportunists such as Lamichhane, royalists, or other interest groups.
Footage shows politician Rabi Lamichhane, jailed in a corruption scandal, being released. Several hundred inmates walked out with belongings. Similar scenes reported at a women’s jail.
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Online, many-esp. Gen Z protestors-distance themselves from the arson/looting. They blame groups with vested interests and shared calls to stop the rampage.
Through the evening, Kantipur Media’s HQ (Nepal’s largest media group) was set on fire, along with hotels, a school linked to politicians, and branches of a major supermarket chain.
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As protesters seize the Singha Durbar complex, Nepal’s main administrative center, more and more people online call for an end to the destruction of public property.
Sher Bahadur Deuba (former PM, Nepal Congress leader) and Foreign Minister Arzu Deuba (his wife) were reportedly beaten by protesters after being escorted from their residence. Bishnu Prasad Paudel (Finance Minister) chased down a street.
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Video footage shows politicians’ families being airlifted to Army barracks in Maharajgunj, Kathmandu.
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Parliament building, major party offices, police posts, and other govt. offices have also been set on fire.
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PM Oli resigns at around 2.30 PM local time. Emerging reports suggest Oli may be trying to leave the country by air. Conflicting info on destination: Hong Kong, Dubai, or China.
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Also targeted:
• Pushpa K. Dahal “Prachanda” (Opposition Leader)
• Prithvi S. Gurung (Info & Comm. Minister)
• Deepak Khadka (Energy Minister)
• Gagan Thapa (NC General Secretary)
• Surendra Pandey (CPN-UML Vice Chair)
Houses/residences targeted so far:
• PM K.P. Oli (Kathmandu & Damak)
• Sher B. Deuba (Nepali Congress President)
• Ramesh Lekhak (ex-Home Minister)
• President Ram Ch. Paudel
DAY 2 - Anti-corruption uprising in Nepal
Protesters defied curfew around Kathmandu Ring Road. Residences of key political leaders have been entered and set on fire.
DAY 1 - Anti-corruption uprising in Nepal
At least 19 killed (17 in Kathmandu, 2 in Itahari) and 350+ injured after police opened fire on “Gen Z”-led rallies across major cities. Most victims are reported to be under 30.
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Death toll is still being updated. While int. media frame protest as response to recent social media ban, this was only a catalyst. Youth protesters’ demands go far beyond that: tackling corruption, nepotism, and calling for tax transparency and good governance.
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A sharp take on for the renowned Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival #KIMFF showing six Chinese propaganda films under a segment titled Xizang Panorama - Xizang being China’s (and soon Nepal's?) term for occupied Tibet. Also ironic: the use of Tibetan prayer flags in the festival banner.
Norway’s plans to mine seabed minerals in Arctic waters will resume soon, with a licensing round tentatively set for 2026.
Experts warn that considerable knowledge gaps must be addressed before mining can commence.
* This story was supported by the Pulitzer Center’s Ocean Reporting Network.
