Historic Singha Durbar palace Damaged as Nepal Protests Escalate
Kathmandu, Nepal – Nepal’s historic Singha Durbar Palace sustained damage amid escalating protests fueled by government corruption and censorship, marking a period of unprecedented civil unrest in the nation’s recent history. The demonstrations, largely led by gen Z activists, have seen widespread arson and clashes with security forces, prompting the deployment of the army to restore order.Nepal has experienced political instability since abolishing its 239-year-old monarchy in 2008, cycling through more than a dozen governments. However, the intensity of the current crisis, which began in recent days, is unlike anything the country has witnessed in years. Protests initially focused on demanding accountability and reform, but have been shadowed by acts of violence that many within the movement condemn.
The Singha Durbar Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a symbol of Nepal’s history, was targeted during the unrest. While the extent of the damage is still being assessed, images circulating on social media show visible signs of fire damage to portions of the building. Protesters have also gathered outside other key cultural landmarks, including the department of Archaeology in bhaktapur, holding signs urging the preservation of these sites.
“Yes, we need to build a better future for Nepal, but please let us not destroy our history and historical buildings,” stated the Kathmandu- and New york-based nonprofit Archive of Nepal in an Instagram post. “Historical buildings like Singhadurbar and National Archives hold important documents that need to be preserved.”
The leading Gen Z protest group has explicitly stated its opposition to attacks on public or private property,advocating for organized and disciplined demonstrations. Social media account NepalUnmasked highlighted the central role of students and young people, stating they are “risking everything for freedom and accountability.”
Nepal Army Chief Ashok Raj Sigdel, in a televised statement, affirmed the army’s priority is to “normalize the present challenging situation and protect our historical and national heritage and public as well as private property, and to ensure safety to the general public and diplomatic missions.”
The government is currently scrambling to contain the crisis and restore stability as the nation grapples with a pivotal moment in its political journey.
