KATHMANDU, Sep 9: The message from Gen Z protesters was clear: days before the demonstrations began, the ‘Gen Z Movement’ had explicitly stated that the protest was “not pro-monarchy,” “not affiliated with any political party,” and “not against the federal system.” They urged participants to demonstrate peacefully and avoid violence.
Hundreds of young people, many in school uniforms and carrying backpacks, gathered spontaneously at Maitighar Mandala in response to the call. They carried placards with slogans against corruption, sang patriotic songs, and chanted against corrupt government leaders.
The Kathmandu District Administration Office had designated the route from Maitighar to Baneshwar as the protest zone. Protesters assembled at Maitighar at 9 AM and began marching toward Baneshwar. However, some participants attempted to enter restricted areas, including the Parliament, while another group from Tinkune rushed toward the building’s main gate.
The protest took a sudden violent turn. Demonstrators broke road barricades set to protect the federal Parliament, and many of them climbed the tall concrete wall of the Parliament’s perimeter. Furniture was set ablaze, and some even breached police lines.
In response, police fired live rounds, shot dozens of rubber bullets, used batons and deployed water cannons to disperse the crowd. Following the escalation, the Gen Z Movement called off the protest, urging participants to return home. While many did, others were unable to leave safely, particularly around the Parliament.
In a later statement, the movement said the violence had been triggered by individuals with political agendas who infiltrated their peaceful demonstration. Their intended message was overshadowed by vandalism and attempts to forcefully enter the Parliament building.
“The Parliament is not our enemy; it belongs to the people, built with their sweat and taxes,” the Gen-Z statement read.
The movement reiterated that it had no intention of attacking or surrounding Parliament and sought to maintain a peaceful protest. Yet questions remain: who was responsible for the violence?
Political figures, including Durga Prasai and some Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) leaders, attempted to claim affiliation with the protest. In response, the movement clarified that such individuals were not welcome. Later, RSP Chair Rabi Lamichhane issued a notice expressing solidarity with the protest.
Leaders such as Ganesh Karki and aides of RSP lawmakers were reportedly present at the demonstration. It was further revealed that a youth climbing Parliament’s wall was a Young Communist League (YCL) leader from the Maoist party. Pro-monarchy social media posts circulated a day earlier had also called on people to join the protest.
Despite the protesters’ actions, the government failed to manage the situation responsibly and resorted to lethal force. The Gen Z movement concluded: “Those who attempt to drag us toward unrest and destruction are politically motivated. They do not represent our spirit or identity.”