KATHMANDU: Today, Sept. 8, 2026, marks one year since the Gen Z-led protests took place. The spontaneous demonstrations, which demanded an end to corruption, the establishment of good governance, and the lifting of social media bans, put significant pressure on the then-government led by CPN-UML and Nepali Congress under Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.
While the movement played a role in bringing about political change, it was also marked by tragic events. On Sept. 8, 19 youths died after police opened fire during the protests, with 17 deaths in Kathmandu and 2 in Itahari. The following day, Sept. 9, the protests turned chaotic, leading to widespread arson and vandalism at the Parliament building, Singha Durbar, the Supreme Court, government offices, police stations, political party offices, leaders’ homes, and various business establishments.
A year later, questions remain regarding whether the government is acting in accordance with the spirit of the movement. Furthermore, there is ongoing concern regarding whether any initiatives have been taken to ensure justice for those who were victimized during the protests.
