Nepal's Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel Assaulted Amidst Escalating Gen Z Protests

 Nepal's Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel Assaulted Amidst Escalating Gen Z Protests

In a shocking turn of events on September 9, 2025, Nepal's Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel was publicly assaulted during widespread Protests in Kathmandu. The incident, captured in a viral video, shows Paudel being chased, beaten, and humiliated by demonstrators, culminating in him being thrown into a river. This act of violence has become a symbol of the escalating discontent among the Youth against the Political establishment.

Background of the Protests

The Protests, led predominantly by the Gen Z demographic, erupted following the government's decision to ban 26 social media platforms, including Facebook and X, while sparing TikTok. Critics viewed this move as an attempt to suppress free speech and control public discourse. Despite the government's subsequent decision to lift the ban, the Protests intensified, fueled by deep-seated frustrations over corruption, economic hardship, and Political instability. The demonstrations quickly escalated into violent clashes, with Protesters targeting government buildings, residences of Political Leaders, and symbols of the ruling elite.

The Assault on Finance Minister Paudel

On the day of the incident, Paudel was seen fleeing through the streets of Kathmandu as Protesters pursued him. The video footage shows him being kicked and beaten by the crowd. At one point, a Protester strips him of his clothes, and he is ultimately forced into a river in a humiliating display. While the video does not provide further details, it has since been widely circulated, amplifying the public's outrage and highlighting the extent of the unrest.

Political Fallout

The assault on Paudel is part of a broader wave of violence that has engulfed Nepal. Former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned amid the escalating crisis, and several other ministers have stepped down. The Protests have resulted in significant damage to property, with key government buildings such as the Federal Parliament and Singha Durbar being attacked. Additionally, the homes of several Politicians were vandalized, escalating the sense of instability in the country.

International Response

The international community has expressed concern over the unfolding situation in Nepal. Governments have issued advisories urging caution and limiting travel to affected areas. Airports were temporarily shut down due to fires and smoke, prompting flight suspensions by several airlines.

The assault on Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel underscores the deep-rooted dissatisfaction among Nepal's Youth with the current Political establishment. While the immediate trigger was the social media ban, the underlying issues of corruption, economic inequality, and governance failures have fueled the ongoing unrest. As the situation continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to restore order and address the grievances of the Protesters.

Shrishty Sharma
Manager – HR, Asiatic International Corp
📧 Shrishty@Flying-Crews.com | Shrishty@air-aviator.com
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