Across Nepal, government offices and schools shut their doors on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, as the nation observed a poignant ‘national day of mourning.’ This day was set aside to honor the lives tragically lost during the recent Gen Z protests.
A statement from the Home Ministry on Tuesday confirmed the government’s decision: “In memory of those who died during the protests organised by the Gen Z generation on September 8 and 9, the Government of Nepal has decided to observe a national day of mourning on Wednesday, September 17.”
In a powerful show of national grief, Nepali embassies and missions worldwide lowered their national flags to half-mast and remained closed for the day.
Just days earlier, on Sunday, September 14, 2025, Prime Minister Sushila Karki had made a significant announcement: all individuals who perished during the Gen Z protests on September 8 and 9 would be officially recognized as “martyrs”.
The tragic events of September 8 and 9 saw 72 lives claimed, among them three brave police officers, during the fierce protests that ultimately led to the downfall of Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli’s government.
The wave of unrest also left a trail of destruction, with homes of political figures, crucial government structures, businesses, and shopping centers engulfed in flames during the widespread agitation.
Mr. Oli’s resignation on September 9 came swiftly, prompted by hundreds of enraged protestors who stormed his office, demanding accountability for the at least 19 deaths caused by police action during the initial protests on September 8.
Kathmandu Returns to Normalcy
Meanwhile, Kathmandu is gradually returning to its usual rhythm. With improved security measures in place, the capital’s streets once again bustled with pedestrians and vehicles on Wednesday, signaling a cautious return to normalcy.
Despite the recent sorrow, the city is also beginning to embrace the festive spirit as Vijaya Dashami and Deepawali draw near. Markets, departmental stores, shopping malls, and grocery shops are now filled with people engaged in their festival preparations, a testament to resilience.
In a concerted effort to rebuild and move past the turmoil, various Nepalese ministries have initiated assessments of the extensive damage inflicted during the Gen Z protests.
Police authorities are also meticulously compiling details of vehicles destroyed in the Kathmandu agitation, confirming that at least 121 four-wheelers and 158 two-wheelers were engulfed in flames during the violent clashes of September 8 and 9.