Nepal Gen Z Protests: How Fake News Distorted the Uprising

Claims that Ravi Laxmi Chitrakar, wife of former Nepali Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal, was burned alive in her home—false. Reports of an angry mob destroying the Pashupatinath Temple—false. Allegations that protesters demanded a Hindu nation in Nepal—false. As Kathmandu and other Nepali cities erupted in unrest last week, fake news spread just as fiercely across Nepal, neighboring India, and the rest of the world.

These sensational claims, widely circulated during Nepal’s recent unrest, proved to be misinformation. Driven by various actors and amplified by sections of Indian and international media, the stories dominated headlines, prime-time debates, and viral reels on Instagram, TikTok, and other platforms—framing the movement as a “Gen Z protest” over a social media ban.

In reality, Nepal’s youth were rallying against something far deeper: decades of entrenched corruption and a demand for genuine accountability from those in power.

On a sunny September morning, Nepal’s Generation Z poured into the streets of Kathmandu in what became the country’s most significant youth uprising in decades. What began as peaceful demonstrations demanding jobs, government accountability, and digital freedoms soon swelled into a nationwide revolt that ultimately toppled Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli. The protests turned deadly on September 8, 2025, when police opened fire on demonstrators, killing at least 19 people on the first day alone, with hundreds more injured. The unrest spread rapidly from Kathmandu to major cities, including Pokhara, Biratnagar, Butwal, Bhairahawa, and Bharatpur, as young Nepalis rallied against corruption and a sweeping social media ban.

The crisis reached its peak when protesters stormed and set fire to the parliament building, forcing Oli’s resignation and prompting the military to take control of the streets. The political upheaval culminated in the appointment of Nepal’s first female prime minister, former Chief Justice Sushila Karki, as interim leader.

As the dust settles on one of South Asia’s most dramatic youth-led revolutions, the full extent of casualties and destruction across Nepal continues to emerge, with the latest reports indicating at least 72 deaths and 2,113 injuries nationwide.

Amid the swirl of rumors and misinformation during the protests, one story that shocked the public involved Ravi Laxmi Chitrakar. News claimed she was burnt to death inside her house. The false report spread rapidly, picked up by YouTubers and even reported by some Indian outlets, amplifying the claim to millions. “In reality, she suffered serious burn injuries during an attack and was taken to Kirtipur Burn Hospital in critical condition—but she is alive,” said Rohit Dahal, a Gen Z member and observer of the movement.

Later, Indian fact-checking outlet Alt News published a story debunking the misinformation.

Initially, many media outlets reshaped the protest’s narrative, reducing it to a youth backlash against the social media ban. Kathmandu-based journalist and fact-checker Deepak Adhikari says the movement started with young people sharing videos contrasting the lavish lifestyles of politicians’ children—also called ‘Nepo Kids’—with the daily struggles of ordinary citizens, but soon became a major flashpoint for misinformation.

“The most common falsehoods were claims of attacks on politicians and their properties and rumors that leaders were fleeing the country. Some of this misleading content originated on Nepali social media, but Indian television channels and users amplified it, turning it into a much bigger problem,” says Adhikari, who heads Nepal Check, a fact-checking platform.

Adhikari adds that unfounded claims about sacred sites also went viral. On September 9, a Facebook page posted a video claiming protesters had reached Pashupatinath Temple and attempted vandalism. The clip showed people climbing the temple gate—but a fact-check later revealed it was originally uploaded two months earlier during a festival. YouTubers also amplified such rumors. For instance, a U.S.-based Nepali creator claimed police had detained 32 children inside Nepal’s parliament, fueling false claims they had been killed.

As Nepal’s youth fought for their future, some Indian broadcasters and social media influencers reframed the movement. Dainik Jagaran ran a front-page story claiming the Gen Z protests demanded a Hindu Rashtra, misrepresenting the movement. The protests focused on systemic corruption, nepotism, and inequality, with the social media ban highlighting deeper frustrations.

Asked about the amplification of false narratives, BOOM Live deputy editor Karen Rebelo said: “Misinformation thrives on uncertainty. In the vacuum created by incomplete reporting, people either invent stories or recycle old information to go viral.”

Rebelo noted that social media determines who controls the narrative—authorities, protesters, or other actors. Many Indian outlets misreported the protests as solely a reaction to the social media ban. Right-wing outlets framed the protests as efforts to restore the monarchy or establish a Hindu nation—distorting the genuine concerns of Nepali youth.

Groups like Hami Nepal, a non-profit supporting communities, played a central role in guiding demonstrations and circulating accurate information via Instagram and Discord. Sudan Gurung, the group’s leader, also became a victim of misinformation when Indian channels misidentified him, confusing him with a Nepali activist from Darjeeling.

Tensions over media coverage spilled into a backlash against Indian journalists. On September 11, an Indian reporter was reportedly manhandled by protesters chanting anti-India slogans. “This backlash did not come out of nowhere. Reckless reporting and misinformation by some Indian media outlets created the anger,” said Rebelo.

She highlighted that sensational reporting worsens the situation and reflects a lack of nuance in understanding neighboring countries, making misinformation even more damaging.