Bangladesh football team trapped in hotel due to Gen-Z protests in Nepal

The Bangladesh national football team has been left stranded in their Kathmandu hotel as mass protests led by Nepal’s Gen-Z continue to escalate across the country, demanding an end to government corruption and the lifting of social media restrictions.

The unrest, which began earlier this week, has plunged the Nepalese capital into chaos. Clashes between protesters and security forces have erupted in several key areas of Kathmandu, prompting the government to impose curfews in parts of the city. At least 13 protesters have reportedly been killed in the violence so far.

Bangladesh's national team, in Nepal to play two friendly matches, arrived in Kathmandu on September 3. They were scheduled to play their second match against host Nepal tomorrow, but their preparations have been thrown into disarray. The team was unable to leave their hotel for their final practice session at Dasharath Stadium, originally set for 3 pm on Monday. It remains uncertain whether the match will go ahead as planned.

The protests were sparked by growing frustration among Nepalese youth over alleged widespread corruption by the ruling party and the government's sudden move to block access to major social media platforms.

Since Monday morning, thousands of young students have taken to the streets of Kathmandu, occupying major intersections and government buildings, including the Parliament. The protests have been marked by repeated and violent confrontations between demonstrators and law enforcement.

Many observers have drawn parallels between the current movement and last year’s youth-led uprising in Bangladesh, which led to the fall of a widely criticized authoritarian regime. Inspired by that movement, Nepal’s youth have taken their online dissent offline, mobilizing en masse to demand political accountability and digital freedom.

As the situation worsens, concerns are growing not only for the safety of the football team but also for the stability of the region in the days ahead.