After uprising, Nepal’s Gen Z rush to register to vote
In Nepal’s capital, young would-be voters line up enthusiastically to register for the first elections since deadly anti-corruption protests toppled the government, the worst unrest in decades.
“The pillar of this new government is built on the dead bodies of students,” said student Niranjan Bhandari, 21, as he waited to provide biometric data to complete his registration.
“That’s why, in the upcoming election, we want to uproot the old faces who have been clinging to power for too long,” he added.
“I’m here to register for my new voter identity card for that very reason.”
Death toll and aftermath of the anti-corruption protests
Death toll from Nepal’s anti-corruption protests raised to 72 | Reuters
By Gopal Sharma
KATHMANDU, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Authorities in Nepal have raised the death toll from last week’s unrest to 72 as search teams recover bodies from government offices, houses and other buildings set on fire during the anti-corruption protests, the Health Ministry said on Sunday.
In the deadliest outbreak of political violence in Nepal for decades, mainly young Nepalis took to the streets of the capital and other cities early last week, prompting Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli to resign on Tuesday.
Security forces fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the protesters, some of whom torched state buildings, including the Supreme Court, parliament, police posts, politicians’ homes and private businesses.
“Bodies of many people who died in shopping malls, houses and other buildings that were set on fire or attacked are now being discovered,” health ministry spokesperson Prakash Budathoki said.
The ministry’s previous death toll was 51, updated as of Saturday. The latest data showed on Sunday that at least 2,113 people had been injured in the violence.
Former Chief Justice Sushila Karki has replaced Oli as interim prime minister, becoming the first woman to lead the Himalayan nation, and is tasked with holding a new parliamentary election called for March 5.
Nepali sources on hostage confirmation
Bipin Joshi confirmed dead
Hamas’s armed wing on Monday identified four deceased captives as Joshi, Guy Ilouz, Yossi Sharabi, and Daniel Perez.
The status of Nepali youth Bipin Joshi, who was abducted by Hamas militants 738 days ago from Israel, has been confirmed dead.
A statement released by Hamas’s armed wing identified the deceased captives as Guy Ilouz, Yossi Sharabi, Bipin Joshi and Daniel Perez. It said their bodies will be handed over later today.
Nepali ambassador Dhana Prasad Pandit told the Post that an honorary consul representing Nepal in Israel, Nadav Ben Yahudain informed him that Hamas is likely to hand over the dead body of Bipin later on Monday.
First they will handover the dead bodies to Israeli authorities—whereupon the bodies will undergo DNA tests. After confirming the test, the bodies will be handed over to the families of the deceased. The Red Cross representatives are reportedly on their way to receive the bodies of the four murdered hostages.
Nepali student Joshi, who went to Israel under the Learn and Earn Programme, was working at the Alumim kibbutz with 16 other Nepalis when Hamas attacked on October 7, 2023.
Israeli authorities on Monday informed Nepali officials that Joshi is not among the survivors.
IDF officials said they would also inform us how Joshi was killed, according to Pandit.
Health cooperation and regional public-health events
Sustaining gains, expanding horizons – From a 20-year journey of regional kala-azar elimination commitment and innovation
A side event during the Seventy-eighth Session of the WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia, Colombo, Sri Lanka
WHO SEARO, in collaboration with the Government of Nepal, the Government of India, the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) and Gates Foundation is organizing a side event during the Seventy-eighth Session of the Regional Committee “Sustaining Gains, Expanding Horizons: From a 20-Year Journey of Regional Kala-azar Elimination Commitment and Innovation Toward a Healthier South-East Asia through Multi-Disease Elimination,” to be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on 14 October 2025.
This event commemorates the 20th anniversary of signing the Regional Memorandum of Understanding for kala-azar elimination in South-East Asia, recognizing the concerted achievements of Member States, technical experts, and partners.
The session will highlight lessons learned, success drivers, and emerging opportunities, and introduce a new integrated public health vision - the People-Centred Multi-Disease Elimination (MDE) approach - for the Region.
Share Your Thoughts
- What do you think the surge in Gen Z voter registration means for Nepal’s March 5, 2026 elections?
- How should the interim government balance security, reconciliation and accountability after the protests?
- What are the immediate priorities for Nepali foreign policy and consular support after the confirmation of Bipin Joshi’s death?
- How can regional health cooperation build on kala-azar successes to tackle other public-health threats?
- How would you like media and policymakers to address the concerns raised by youth-led protests?