Nepal Protests Escalate: Energy Minister’s Safe Looted, Cash Scattered in Streets
Kathmandu: Widespread protests in Nepal over corruption and social media restrictions have spiraled into chaos, with angry demonstrators storming the homes of top officials, including the Energy Minister.
Viral videos on social media show protesters, mostly young people, breaking into the Energy Minister’s mansion, smashing furniture, and opening a safe filled with cash. Standing on rooftops, demonstrators flung bundles of money into the air, leaving streets littered with banknotes. Some protesters tore the currency apart, while others took it home; at one spot, piles of cash were set on fire.
“This is stolen wealth, looted from the people,” shouted demonstrators, accusing ministers of enriching themselves instead of serving citizens.
The protests, dubbed a “Gen Z uprising,” erupted after years of frustration over corruption, unemployment, and economic decline. While youth had previously voiced their anger online, the government’s decision to ban major social media platforms triggered unprecedented outrage, driving thousands into the streets.
Protestors set Nepal’s Energy Minister’s house ON FIRE — Prez house STORMED
Banknotes RAIN down as Gen Z rioters start looting the houses pic.twitter.com/5PXJm2LCVH
— INDEPENDENT PRESS (@IpIndependent) September 9, 2025
Violent clashes left at least 21 people dead and over 250 injured. Protesters set fire to the Parliament, Supreme Court, ruling party offices, and several ministers’ residences, despite curfews and heavy police crackdowns.
The escalating unrest forced Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli to resign within two days, reportedly fleeing to Dubai. Three senior ministers also stepped down, while others were moved into military barracks for protection against public fury.
Nepal now faces a deepening political crisis as the public, emboldened by the protests, demands sweeping reforms and accountability from its leadership.
