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Agence France-Presse

Dozens of young people congregated at Nepal’s burnt-out parliament building on Tuesday to mark the anniversary of deadly anti-corruption protests that toppled the former government.
The gathering in memory of those who died in the demonstrations came as the Himalayan nation continues to mourn the vast loss of life from devastating floods two weeks ago.
The rallies on September 8-9, 2025, were initially sparked by anger over a brief government ban on social media but were driven by deeper frustration over economic hardship, corruption and entrenched political practices.
The unrest caused the deaths of 76 people and the torching of the parliament building in the capital, Kathmandu, as well as the prime minister’s office and other government buildings.
It also led to the downfall of the administration of KP Sharma Oli, setting in motion a series of events that culminated with the election of youthful Prime Minister Balendra Shah in March.
“The loss of life was of course terrible. But the impact on politics was worth it, we have seen changes,” said former protester Aastha Shrestha, 23, on the grounds of the ruined building.
“It feels like the [current] government values the sacrifice we made,” she said next to a stack of burnt vehicles.


Banners bearing photos of people killed in the protests were hung in the parliament grounds.
Shah said on social media that he hoped the anniversary would “inspire us all to move forward towards building a fair, transparent, and opportunity-filled Nepal”.
Sushila Karki, who led Nepal as interim prime minister after Oli’s government was overthrown, paid tribute to “all the brave individuals who lost their lives”.
“Let us all perform our duties honestly, responsibly and vigilantly … so that a situation never arises again in which people are forced to take to the streets once more for good governance and change,” she said in a social media post.
An inquiry commission set up to investigate the violence submitted its report in April and recommended further investigation against several officials including Oli.

Most victims – 51 people – were shot dead, many in the head or chest, according to the report.
But there has been little genuine accountability, said Anish Acharya, 19, who came with flowers to pay his respects.
“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,” he said.
“The government has not valued our sacrifices and demands.”
Shah’s administration is facing its toughest challenge since taking power as it leads rescue and recovery efforts following cataclysmic glacial floods on the country’s border with China.
The August 26 disaster killed at least 1,399 people in the two countries, including 1,356 in Nepal, according to official tolls.
A total of 5,500 people are still missing in Nepal and China.


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

People pay homage to victims who lost their lives in the 2025 protests during a memorial near Nepal’s old parliament building in Kathmandu on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

Protesters celebrate at the parliament building after it was set on fire in Kathmandu last year. Photo: AP

Police stand guard near the old parliament building in Kathmandu on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

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The trail of destruction left by the August 26 flood in Dhunge Bazaar, Nuwakot, Nepal. Photo: Bibek Bhandari 

A man looks at photos of missing people outside an army camp in Bidur, Nuwakot, Nepal. Photo: Bibek Bhandari 

Children play a board game in a dedicated child-safe space at a shelter in Nuwakot, Nepal. Photo: Bibek Bhandari 

The trail of destruction left by the August 26 flood in Dhunge Bazaar, Nuwakot, Nepal. Photo: Bibek Bhandari  

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People stand next to damaged houses following the deadly flash floods and mudslides, in Betrawati, Nuwakot district, Nepal, on Sunday. Photo: Reuters

An army team departs for a flooded area to carry out rescue operations in the aftermath of flash floods in Trishuli, Nepal’s Nuwakot district on Sunday. Photo: AFP

Nepal police search for survivors and victims of the deadly flash floods and a mudslide, in Betrawati, Nuwakot district, Nepal, on Sunday. Photo: Reuters

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The commemoration came as the country continues to mourn the vast loss of life from devastating floods two weeks ago


The commemoration came as the country continues to mourn the vast loss of life from devastating floods two weeks ago.


Protests around the world

K.P. Sharma Oli

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

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The commemoration came as the country continues to mourn the vast loss of life from devastating floods two weeks ago

The commemoration came as the country continues to mourn the vast loss of life from devastating floods two weeks ago