Photography

Photos: Nepal’s “Gen Z” Protests

Anti-government protests in Nepal on Monday, which followed a ban on social-media apps, were met with deadly force by riot police. Reacting to that violence, demonstrators returned the next day, burning many government buildings and forcing the prime minister to resign.

By Alan Taylor
A protester carrying a Nepalese flag hangs a pirate flag on an ornate gate, as smoke and flames rise from a palace building in the background.
Sunil Pradhan / Anadolu / Getty
A protester carrying a Nepalese flag hangs a pirate flag as smoke and flames rise from the Singha Durbar, the seat of Nepal’s government, in Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 9, 2025.
A group of protesters chant together. One holds a sign that says
Ambir Tolang / NurPhoto / Getty
Young protesters demonstrate against corruption and the ban on social-media platforms by the government in Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 8, 2025.
An aerial view of a large crowd of protesters filling both sides of a broad city street.
Prabin Ranabhat / AFP / Getty
An aerial view shows demonstrators gathered outside Nepal’s Parliament during a protest in Kathmandu on September 8, 2025, condemning government social-media prohibitions and corruption. Nepal police opened fire, killing at least 19 people as thousands of young protesters demonstrated on September 8.
A densely-packed group of protesters knock down a police barrier.
Ambir Tolang / NurPhoto / Getty
Protesters knock down a police barrier in Kathmandu on September 8, 2025.
Riot police spray water from a hose at protesters who are sitting in a street.
Niranjan Shrestha / AP
Riot police use a water cannon on protesters outside Parliament in Kathmandu on September 8, 2025.
A chaotic scene during a protest where some people are helping an injured protester out of the area.
Prabin Ranabhat / AFP / Getty
Demonstrators carry an injured victim during a protest outside Parliament in Kathmandu on September 8, 2025.
A small group of riot police officers huddles between a vehicle and a gate for safety, during a protest.
Prabin Ranabhat / AFP / Getty
Riot-police officers take shelter behind a security vehicle as demonstrators pelt them with stones during a protest outside Parliament on September 8, 2025.
Protesters cheer as one demonstrator shouts while holding riot police gear they had picked up.
Niranjan Shrestha / AP
A protester wearing a flak jacket and carrying a shield snatched from a police officer shouts slogans at the Singha Durbar, the seat of Nepal’s government ministries and offices, during a protest against a social-media ban and corruption in Kathmandu, on September 9, 2025.
Flames erupt from the portico of a palatial government building.
Prabin Ranabhat / AFP / Getty
Fire rages through the Singha Durbar, the main administrative building for the Nepal government, in Kathmandu, after it was set ablaze on September 9, 2025, a day after a police crackdown on demonstrations over govenrnment social-media prohibitions and corruption.
Demonstrators stomp on the photograph of the Prime Minister of Nepal.
Niranjan Shrestha / AP
Protesters deface a photograph of Nepal’s former prime minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli at the Singha Durbar, on September 9, 2025. Prime Minister Oli resigned his post during the protests on September 9.
A large group of protesters gather outside a building as dark smoke hangs in the air. One of the protesters is wearing a Spider-Man mask.
Adnan Abidi / Reuters
Demonstrators react near smoke rising from the Parliament complex on September 9, 2025.
An aerial view of a large government building with dark smoke rising from it, as demonstrators stand on the grounds nearby
Prakash Timalsina / AP
Protesters celebrate at the Parliament building after it was set on fire during a protest on September 9, 2025.
Three protesters stand on an ornament atop a government building, raising their arms beside the flag of Nepal.
Niranjan Shrestha / AP
Protesters celebrate, standing atop the burning Singha Durbar, on September 9, 2025.
Protesters gather, and cheer outside a burning building.
Amit Machamasi / ZUMA Press Wire / Reuters
Protesters set fire to the residence of former Prime Minister Oli in Balkot during the second day of the Gen Z demonstrations in Kathmandu on September 9, 2025.
Demonstrators smile and take selfies, standing in front of a smoldering building.
Sunil Pradhan / Anadolu / Getty
People celebrate and take selfies after occupying Nepal’s Parliament building in Kathmandu on September 9, 2025.
Many demonstrators mill about, while some take selfies, in front of a burning government building.
Niranjan Shrestha / AP
Protesters take selfies and celebrate at the burning Singha Durbar on September 9, 2025.
Tall flames rise from a burning presidential palace, seen at night.
Subaas Shrestha / NurPhoto / Getty
Nepal’s Presidential Palace burns through the night on September 9, 2025.
Several soldiers walk past a burnt-out bus.
Skanda Gautam / SOPA Images / Reuters
Nepalese-army patrols pass a burned vehicle a day after violent protests in Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 10, 2025.
A tall hotel building goes up in flames.
Niranjan Shrestha / AP
Flames rise from a Hilton hotel in Kathmandu, after it was set on fire, seen on September 10, 2025.
Graffiti spray-painted on a wall, reading, in part,
Anup Ojha / AFP / Getty
Anti-government slogans were left on the walls of the charred Parliament building in Kathmandu on September 10, 2025.
Two soldiers walk through debris inside the scorched entryway of a government building.
Adnan Abidi / Reuters
Nepalese-army soldiers walk through debris inside the burned Parliament building in Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 10, 2025.

About the Author

Alan Taylor is a senior editor at The Atlantic.
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