Aditya Rawal, a university student, stood among hundreds of anti-corruption protesters outside Nepal’s parliament when gunfire erupted, and 14 people fell before him.
Among them was his university friend. As Rawal rushed to help, raising his hands, he was also struck by bullets.
“I heard if you raise both hands, you won’t be shot,” Rawal, a 22-year-old digital marketer, shared from his hospital bed in Kathmandu.
“But I was their target,” he added.
Since September 8, at least 72 lives were lost during the chaos as young people, under the “Gen Z” label, protested a government social media ban.
“Other protests in Nepal involved older generations, but they used guns against us ‘Gen-Z’ protesters,” Rawal remarked.
The following day, protests intensified over economic struggles and government corruption, leading to the prime minister’s resignation and the burning of parliament and key buildings before the military regained control.
This marked Nepal’s worst unrest since the 2008 end of its civil war and monarchy abolition.
On Friday, former chief justice Sushila Karki, 73, became the interim prime minister, tasked with leading Nepal to elections within six months.
‘Blood-soaked’
Nurse Usha Khanal, 36, said her gloves were “blood-soaked” while treating the injured, as tear gas seeped into the hospital.
The hospital treated 458 injured protesters; six died, four under 30, highlighting the youth-led movement.
Despite severe injuries, Rawal said he would protest again.
“If nothing changes, we have time to fight… We want transparency, no corruption, no dictatorship.”
World Bank data shows one in five Nepalis aged 15-24 are jobless, with a GDP per capita of $1,447.
Rawal’s cousin, Puja Kunwar, 20, stayed by his side.
“His actions were for our nation,” she said. “It gives me courage.”
‘Transformation’
In the same ward, Subash Dhakal, 19, shot in the knees, faces six months mostly bedridden.
“The sacrifices of the injured and fallen must not be in vain,” he stated.
“The government has changed… we don’t want the old ways back,” he said.
His mother, teacher Bhawani Dhakal, 45, supported his protest involvement.
She had protested an education bill earlier this year with no success.
“It’s incredible they brought change in 24 hours,” she said. “Our sons ousted the corrupt leaders.”
Subash Dhakal felt pride in his actions.
“I have no regrets,” he said.
“I did this for everyone, from family to all brothers. This pain is short-lived, but will bring change.”
