Nepal Gen-Z Protests Reignite: Year After Backing PM Balen Shah, Nepal’s Gen-Z Is Back On Streets; Here's Why

Nepal Gen-Z Protest: Nepal is once again facing a political and social crisis, just a year after a major youth-led movement reshaped the country’s political landscape. Hundreds of people took to the streets of Kathmandu today to protest the government’s decision to evict squatters without providing a resettlement plan.

The development is significant because the same ‘Gen-Z’ generation whose support helped Prime Minister Balen Shah rise to power has now turned against his government and taken to the streets in protest.

The main reason behind the growing anger across Nepal is the government’s ongoing eviction drive targeting poor communities, slum dwellers, and landless citizens. Authorities have begun removing people from their homes without announcing a clear rehabilitation or resettlement plan. Opposing this decision, citizens have once again started protesting, and the movement appears to be expanding into a larger anti-government campaign.

Anti-encroachment drive leaves thousands homeless

An anti-encroachment campaign began across Nepal in April 2026. Under this drive, homes belonging to more than 2,600 families were demolished, leaving around 15,000 people homeless. Among those affected, 325 families were moved to temporary holding centres.

The situation worsened when the government issued an order on July 2 asking residents to vacate these centres by July 6. However, at least 60 families refused to leave, saying they had nowhere else to go.

Gen-Z protests intensify

The protests, which began a few days ago against the Kathmandu Metropolitan Police’s removal of slums, have now developed into a broader anti-government movement.

Young protesters accuse the government of demolishing the homes of vulnerable communities without any proper rehabilitation plan. They also claim that the temporary holding centres where displaced families are being kept lack basic facilities and are unsuitable for human habitation.

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Floods worsen conditions at holding centres

The crisis deepened on Friday when one of the holding centres in Kathmandu was flooded, reportedly leaving around 150 people trapped. The following day, when Gen-Z activists arrived to assess the situation and show solidarity with the affected families, police allegedly baton-charged them. One activist reportedly suffered serious facial injuries.

The incident further increased anger among young protesters and intensified criticism of the government’s handling of the situation.

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Self-immolation and arrests increase tensions

Several incidents during the protests have further escalated tensions. Earlier this month, a 25-year-old protester, Ganesh Nepali, reportedly attempted self-immolation in Kathmandu after police allegedly placed a wheel lock on his motorcycle.

Meanwhile, several social activists, students, and journalists who criticised the government’s actions have reportedly been arrested. In Koshi Province, located around 206 kilometres from the capital, 26 people were also detained for expressing support for the protesters. Nepali Congress President Gagan Kumar Thapa has strongly condemned these arrests.

Is this major challenge for PM Balen Shah?

The ongoing protests could become one of the biggest political challenges Prime Minister Balen Shah has faced so far. The reason is that, last year, when massive youth protests led to the fall of KP Sharma Oli’s government, Balen Shah had openly supported the Gen-Z movement. Today, the same youth group that helped strengthen his political position is protesting against his government’s policies.

Balen Shah, who was featured in Time magazine’s list of the ‘Top 100 Emerging Leaders’, had built a strong public image as the mayor of Kathmandu through his development initiatives and urban beautification campaigns.

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However, the decision to remove poor communities from their homes without a clear resettlement plan has drawn widespread criticism and may significantly damage his reputation among young voters and supporters.

The coming days will determine whether the protests remain focused on the eviction issue or develop into a wider political movement against the Balen Shah government.