Protests Escalate into Violence
Mass protests erupted on September 8, when tens of thousands of young people—mainly Gen Z (born 1997–2012)—flooded the streets of Kathmandu after the Nepalese government blocked most social media platforms, citing non-compliance with state regulations.
The rallies quickly escalated into demonstrations against corruption. Protesters clashed with security forces, while police responded with live ammunition. September 8 turned into one of Nepal’s bloodiest days in recent history, with 20 people killed and hundreds injured.
Beyond the Hilton, demonstrators also attacked government offices, the parliament building, the Supreme Court, and politicians’ private residences. The headquarters of the Ministry of Health and Population—designed in 1965 by American architect Louis I. Kahn and considered an architectural landmark—was also set on fire.
Protesters even torched the home of former Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal, where his wife, Rabi Laxmi Chitrakar, was killed in the blaze.
