A year on, Nepal remembers 76 lives lost in protests that ousted government

On the first anniversary of anti-corruption protests in Nepal that claimed 76 lives, thousands of young people gathered at the burnt-out parliament building in Kathmandu on Tuesday. The demonstrations, initially triggered by a government ban on social media, were fueled by widespread economic hardship, corruption, and entrenched political practices. These tumultuous events led to the fall of the former administration led by KP Sharma Oli, paving the way for the election of Prime Minister Balendra Shah in March 2025.

Aastha Shrestha, a 23-year-old protester, expressed her satisfaction with the political changes that ensued from the sacrifices made, stating, "The loss of life was of course terrible. But the impact on politics was worth it, we have seen changes." Banners bearing photos of the victims were hung in the parliament grounds, and Prime Minister Shah emphasized on social media that the anniversary should inspire all to strive towards a fair, transparent, and opportunity-filled Nepal.

Interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki paid tribute to the "brave individuals who lost their lives" during the protests, urging all to perform their duties honestly, responsibly, and vigilantly to prevent any recurrence of such situations. However, Anish Acharya, a 19-year-old protester, expressed his disappointment with the government's lack of genuine accountability, stating, "Why did we sacrifice our lives, what did we get?

There is no hope that change will come. Oli was arrested the next day but what then? The culprits are out and walking free. The government has not valued our sacrifices and demands."

Nepal is currently grappling with the aftermath of catastrophic glacial floods that struck the country on August 26, causing at least 1,399 deaths and leaving 5,500 people missing in total, including 1,356 in Nepal. The government is currently leading rescue and recovery efforts amidst the ongoing challenges.