VIDEO: Minister Stripped Naked, Parliament Building Burnt : Nepal Plunges Into Unrest as Gen Z Protests Spiral Out of Control, PM Resigns, and Violence Targets Communist Leaders

VIDEO:  Minister Stripped Naked, Parliament Building Burnt : Nepal Plunges Into Unrest as Gen Z Protests Spiral Out of Control, PM Resigns, and Violence Targets Communist Leaders

Kathmandu, Nepal – Nepal is experiencing its worst political and social upheaval in decades as protests that began with opposition to a government-imposed social media ban have exploded into nationwide chaos. The government reversed the ban last week, but the decision has done little to calm the storm. What started as peaceful digital rights demonstrations by Nepal’s "Gen Z" has now engulfed the country in violent unrest, exposing deep-seated anger over economic stagnation, corruption, and political failures.

On Monday, thousands of demonstrators stormed the parliamentary building in the capital city, forcing lawmakers to flee as flames engulfed parts of the Prime Minister’s office. The building, long seen as a pillar of Nepal’s fragile democracy, was reduced to a charred shell as security forces failed to hold back the crowds. Many protesters chanted against the Communist leadership, accusing them of betraying the nation with decades of mismanagement and foreign dependency.

The intensity of the anger was further underscored when Finance Minister Prasad Paudel found himself cornered by mobs. In shocking scenes captured on video and circulated online, he was seen fleeing on foot through the streets of Kathmandu, stripped and dragged by protesters before security forces eventually intervened. The humiliation of a sitting minister marked a dramatic escalation in the breakdown of government authority.

By Tuesday evening, Prime Minister Sharma Oli, himself a veteran Communist leader and controversial figure in Nepali politics, announced his resignation. He described the violence as “the gravest challenge to the nation’s stability since the abolition of the monarchy,” admitting that his government had lost its ability to control the streets. President Ram Chandra Paudel swiftly accepted his resignation, though rumors of the president’s own departure began circulating almost immediately, forcing his office to issue a denial. The sudden resignation of the prime minister has left Nepal without a clear leader in a moment of profound crisis.

The unrest has not been limited to government buildings. Symbolic targets of wealth and influence have also come under attack. In a dramatic escalation, Kathmandu’s Hilton Hotel, an international landmark and one of the country’s most recognizable luxury establishments, was stormed by rioters and set on fire. Guests were hurriedly evacuated as towering flames consumed parts of the building, sending shockwaves through Nepal’s tourism and hospitality sectors. The destruction of such a prominent structure also raised serious concerns for foreign nationals residing in the country.

But perhaps the most horrifying scenes unfolded when protests turned violent against Communist Party officials and their families. Party offices were torched, and private residences came under siege. In one particularly gruesome case, Ravi Laxmi, the wife of former pro-China Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal, was trapped inside her home after demonstrators set it ablaze. Despite efforts to rescue her, she later succumbed to severe burn injuries, leaving the nation horrified at the scale of brutality. The attack has underscored how quickly political violence in Nepal has crossed red lines, no longer targeting only symbols of power but also private citizens associated with leadership figures.

Sharma Oli himself narrowly avoided a similar fate, with reports confirming that angry mobs had surrounded his residence before security forces dispersed them. Many surviving Communist leaders remain under heavy guard, while ordinary citizens fear that revenge attacks could deepen divisions and ignite a wider civil conflict.

Although the initial protests were triggered by the government’s controversial attempt to ban social media, many protesters argue that their grievances are far broader. Large numbers of young Nepalis, particularly those who identify as part of "Gen Z," say they feel abandoned by a political system that has failed to provide jobs, education, or basic opportunities. With nearly half of the population under the age of 30, frustration over unemployment and inequality has spilled into the streets.

“This fight is not just about TikTok or Facebook,” said a young demonstrator in Kathmandu’s central square. “We are fighting against decades of betrayal. Our leaders live in luxury while ordinary people struggle to survive. This is about dignity and our future.”

The international community has expressed alarm at the fast-deteriorating situation. Several countries have issued urgent travel advisories warning citizens against visiting Nepal. Human rights organizations have condemned the attacks on political leaders and their families while also calling on authorities to show restraint and protect the rights of protesters. Regional powers China and India are monitoring events closely, fearing that instability in Nepal could destabilize the already fragile Himalayan region.

The collapse of Prime Minister Oli’s government, combined with attacks on Communist leaders and the destruction of key institutions, has left Nepal at a crossroads. For many, the crisis represents more than just a clash over political power – it is a reckoning with decades of disillusionment and a demand for systemic change. Whether Nepal emerges from this unrest with a reformed political order or slides further into instability remains uncertain.

What is clear is that a generation of young Nepalis has found its voice in the streets. Once dismissed as politically apathetic, this new movement has shown it is willing to confront entrenched power at any cost. As the fires of Kathmandu still burn and the country faces its darkest hour in years, the world is left watching whether Nepal will rebuild toward democracy and stability, or descend deeper into chaos.