NEPAL’S riots were driven by resentment of politicians’ nepo babies flaunting their extravagant lives online, while ordinary students struggled with soaring living costs.
The protests, which erupted last week, saw the capital Kathmandu turned upside down as rioters tore through the city, brandishing weapons and torching political buildings.
InstagramShrinkhala Khatiwada a 29-year-old former Miss Nepal, daughter of ex-health minister Birodh Khatiwada[/caption]
InstagramShrinkhala was highlighted as one of the nepo babies flaunting her life online[/caption]
AFPFire rages through the Singha Durbar, the main administrative building for the Nepali government[/caption]
AFPA car burns outside the Singha Durbar[/caption]
Riots erupted after government blocked more than a dozen social media platforms, including Facebook, X and YouTube for not complying with new legislation.
Critics blasted the measure as censorship and hailed a clampdown on political “corruption”.
At the heart of the unrest, however, was a deep, shared hatred of the political elites’ children flaunting their cash and luxury lifestyles online, according to NDTV.
Rage bubbled as ordinary Nepalese students struggled with bitter unemployment, rising inflation and widespread poverty.
Faced with shameless displays of wealth by the country’s nepo babies, posts and videos circulated online with the hashtag #PoliticiansNepoBabyNepal.
Posts showed the high-powered youths posing with luxury cars and designer clothes, next to images of ordinary Nepalis struggling.
Shrinkhala Khatiwada, a 29-year-old former Miss Nepal and daughter of ex-health minister Birodh Khatiwada, was highlighted by rioters as a symbol of the corrupt, wealthy elite.
Her family home was among those set on fire during the protests.
Photos of Saugat Thapa, the son of Law Minister Bindu Kumar Thapa, were also widely circulated leading to his family home being torched during the uprising.
Across Kathmandu, rioters declared that while “the general public is dying in poverty, these nepo kids wear clothes worth lakhs (thousands)”.
As tensions reached breaking point, thousands of Nepalis – many of whom were young men – stormed the capital’s streets.
A police crackdown saw at least 31 people killed and more than 1,000 injured as the the prime minister’s house, parliament, and politicians’ homes were set ablaze in the chaos.
Five-time prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba’s home was stormed and his wife also brutalised.
A series of clips revealed the sequence of events when Bahadur Deuba and his wife Arzu Rana Deuba were dragged from their home and beaten.
The pair were hustled out of their house by a gang – some wearing motorcycle helmets.
What sparked the deadly riots?
THE riots erupted after government blocked more than a dozen social media platforms, including Facebook, X and YouTube for not complying with new legislation.
Officials argued the regulation is needed to prevent the spread of fake news and internet fraud.
Critics – many of whom are students – have blasted the measure as censorship.
According to the Kathmandu Post, the riots aren’t “just about social media” but are the result of growing distrust in a “corrupt” regime.
The paper wrote: “This isn’t just about social media – it’s about trust, corruption, and a generation that refuses to stay silent.
“Gen Z grew up with smartphones, global trends, and promises of a federal, prosperous Nepal.
“For them, digital freedom is personal freedom. Cutting off access feels like silencing an entire generation.”
A badly-bloodied Bahadur Deuba being pulled through another building, with fear in his eyes.
On Tuesday, Rajyalaxmi Chitrakar, the wife of former Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal, died after she became trapped inside the couple’s home that was set ablaze by protesters.
Her death came as at least 500 were left injured in the violent riots.
Kathmandu was pictured engulfed in thick black smoke as military helicopters tried to quell the riots.
Terrifying pictures show flames tearing through the Singha Durbar palace – which houses government offices- as crowds gathered outside.
While scorched vehicles appear strewn across the road next to singed debris.
The protesters tore through the city, brandishing weapons and torching the supreme court.
The attorney general’s office, the prime minister’s house, parliament, and other homes belonging to politicians were all set alight.
Rajendra Bajgain, a member of parliament, told The Telegraph: “Kathmandu is burning. Smoke is emanating across the capital’s seat of power as protesters have set fire to many important offices”.
Amid the chaos, four-time prime minister Mr Oli stepped down to allow “further efforts toward a constitutional political solution”.
Citing the country’s “extraordinary situation” he said: “I hereby resign from the office of Prime Minister, effective immediately, under Article 77(1)a of the Constitution.”
InstagramNepo babies were reportedly at the heart of Nepal’s crisis[/caption]
FacebookPhotos of Saugat Thapa, the son of Law Minister Bindu Kumar Thapa, were also widely circulated[/caption]
AlamyThe Hilton hotel was torched during the chaos[/caption]
APProtesters celebrate at the parliament building after it was set on fire during a protest[/caption]