Sushila Karki story: Nepal's Gen Z uprising 'culminates' in woman becoming PM for first time

On 12 September, in a landmark development, Nepal's former Chief Justice Sushila Karki was sworn in as the Himalayan nation's first female prime minister, assuming an interim role to navigate the country through unprecedented turmoil. The 73-year-old, renowned for her anti-corruption stance during her tenure as Chief Justice from 2016 to 2019, took the oath at the President's Office in Kathmandu, hours after the dissolution of Parliament by President Ram Chandra Paudel.

Backed by the Nepal Army and a coalition of political leaders, Karki's appointment signals a desperate bid for stability following the Nepal Gen Z uprising, which saw violent youth-led protests culminate in the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and widespread destruction.

Before her name was finalised, the other contenders for the interim prime minister's post were Kathmandu Mayor Balendra "Balen" Shah, a youth icon who has since withdrawn, and Kulman Ghising, the celebrated engineer credited with ending the nation's chronic power shortages.

The stopgap prime minister's immediate priorities include restoring security, initiating dialogue with protesters and organising fresh elections within six months, amid calls for constitutional reforms from Gen Z activists.

To grasp this seismic shift, we must flashback to the origins of the unrest that propelled Nepal into chaos.

Origins of the unrest

In the shadow of the Himalayas, Nepal has endured decades of political turmoil, corruption and economic inequality. The 2025 Gen Z Uprising stemmed from long-standing grievances among the country's youth, who make up a large segment of the population with a median age of around 25. Rampant unemployment, nepotism in public appointments and the ostentatious wealth of political elites displayed online had fuelled resentment for years. The average Nepali income hovers near US$1,400 per year—equivalent to about 197,400 Nepalese rupees at current exchange rates—sharply contrasting with the lavish lifestyles of leaders' families.

Social media trends exposing these disparities were seen as threats by the authorities. Led by Gen Z students and young professionals, the movement demanded transparency, accountability and better job prospects. Organisations like Hami Nepal, under activist Sudan Gurung, were instrumental in coordinating efforts through alternative networks once mainstream platforms were restricted.

The spark: Social media ban

The catalyst for the Nepal Gen Z Uprising of 2025 was the government's sudden ban on 26 social media platforms on September 4. This included Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn, Reddit, Signal and Snapchat, which were blocked for not complying with new registration rules from the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology. Critics labelled it a ploy to stifle online critiques of corruption and fund mismanagement.

With high internet penetration in South Asia—about 90% of Nepal's 30 million people online—the ban disrupted communication, news and commerce.

Disillusioned youth, already frustrated with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's coalition, viewed it as an attack on free speech. Encrypted apps spread calls to protest, leading thousands to assemble in Kathmandu at sites like Maitighar Mandala and near parliament by 8 September, demanding reforms and an end to the digital suppression.

Escalation and violence

Peaceful gatherings turned violent on 8 September during the Nepal Gen Z Uprising. Demonstrators tried to enter the federal parliament, prompting police to use tear gas, water cannons, rubber bullets and live ammunition. At least 19 people died that day, with over 300 injured, many treated at hospitals like Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital. 

The forceful response amplified outrage, evolving the protests into a wider anti-government surge. Curfews were enforced in Kathmandu, Pokhara and other cities, but defied by crowds clashing with security in areas like Koteshwor. 

The ban was revoked that evening under pressure and Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak stepped down, but these measures failed to pacify the movement. Restored social media broadcasted images of the violence, sparking global outcry and boosting mobilisation. Protests spread to Biratnagar, Bharatpur and beyond.

Government collapse: Fires and resignations

The Nepal Gen Z Uprising peaked on 9 September 2025, forcing Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli to resign and seek safety in an army barracks. Despite urging his Communist Party allies to resist, the momentum proved unstoppable. 

Furious protesters torched key government sites, including Singha Durbar (housing parliament and ministries), the Supreme Court, the president's residence at Sital Niwas and Oli's home at Baluwatar. Offices of the UML and Nepali Congress parties were also set ablaze, along with the residences of former prime ministers such as Sher Bahadur Deuba, Jhala Nath Khanal and Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda). 

Chaos ensued as demonstrators stormed prisons in Kailali and Kaski, freeing inmates. By evening, the Nepali Army, led by General Ashok Raj Sigdel, took control, deploying troops to quell the disorder. Sigdel called for dialogue to resolve the crisis peacefully.

Current situation and future implications

As of 12 September, Kathmandu's streets show signs of tentative calm under army patrols, though sporadic tensions linger with reports of seized weapons and early arrests of agitators. Karki's ascension as interim prime minister, alongside Parliament's dissolution, signals a push towards constitutional restoration and elections, potentially involving figures like Kathmandu's independent mayor Balendra Shah. Casualties stand at 23 deaths and over 400 injuries, with economic fallout including Tribhuvan International Airport's partial reopening after closures.

Globally, the upheaval has heightened concerns about South Asian stability, prompting India to evacuate its nationals. The uprising underscores a generational demand for jobs, dignity, and equitable development, free from corruption. Amid parallel pro-monarchy demonstrations, it may spur constitutional changes or monarchy restoration. Karki's leadership, drawing on her judicial legacy of integrity, could foster enduring reform—or risk further instability if youth demands go unmet.

The Nepal Gen Z Uprising 2025 betrays a troubling pattern observed in recent South Asian unrest, where seemingly contained protests erupted into uncontrollable chaos, leading to regime changes. In Sri Lanka's 2022 economic crisis, public fury over corruption and shortages spiralled into the storming of government buildings, forcing President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to flee. Similarly, Bangladesh's 2024 student-led quota protests against Sheikh Hasina's government escalated into violence, culminating in her resignation and exile amid accusations of authoritarianism. 

In Pakistan, Imran Khan's ouster in 2022 followed his repeated insinuations of US efforts to destabilise his administration, defying advice from Pakistani Army officers who cautioned against antagonising Washington. Khan claimed a US-orchestrated conspiracy, backed by leaked diplomatic cables suggesting American pressure for his removal due to his neutral stance on Russia-Ukraine issues. 

Adding to the intrigue, Sheikh Hasina alleged that her downfall stemmed from her refusal to comply with US demands for control over St. Martin's Island in the Bay of Bengal, purportedly for a military base to counter regional influences. 

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka fell under China's vice-like grip through debt obligations, resulting in the 99-year lease of Hambantota Port to Beijing after failing to repay loans, often cited as a classic debt-trap scenario. 

These events, fitting into a pattern—youth-driven uprisings, sudden escalations and geopolitical accusations—point to a likely US deep state involvement in engineering regime changes across South Asia. Analysts suggest this strategy aims to counter China's growing footprint, as seen in Nepal's protests amid US-China proxy tensions. Such observations raise alarms about external manipulations destabilising the region, potentially reshaping alliances and sovereignty in favour of American interests.