A year on, Nepal remembers 76 lives lost in protests that ousted government

Dozens of young people congregated at Nepal’s burnt-out parliament building on Tuesday to mark the anniversary of deadly anti-corruption protests that toppled the former government.

The gathering in memory of those who died in the demonstrations came as the Himalayan nation continues to mourn the vast loss of life from devastating floods two weeks ago.

The rallies on September 8-9, 2025, were initially sparked by anger over a brief government ban on social media but were driven by deeper frustration over economic hardship, corruption and entrenched political practices.

The unrest caused the deaths of 76 people and the torching of the parliament building in the capital, Kathmandu, as well as the prime minister’s office and other government buildings.

It also led to the downfall of the administration of KP Sharma Oli, setting in motion a series of events that culminated with the election of youthful Prime Minister Balendra Shah in March.

“The loss of life was of course terrible. But the impact on politics was worth it, we have seen changes,” said former protester Aastha Shrestha, 23, on the grounds of the ruined building.