A day after the government’s brutal crackdown of anti-corruption protests left at least 19 dead and hundreds injured, mobs took to the streets on Tuesday and vandalised public and private property, including the buildings of Supreme Court, Kantipur Media Group, and Bhatbhateni supermarket.

Amid this, various political groups that initiated what have been dubbed ‘Gen Z’ protests have dissociated themselves from the widespread destruction. ‘This is not us’ was the common refrain among those groups. They instead put the blame on “opportunist” infiltrators.

Throughout the day, the groups—including ‘Gen Z Nepal’, ‘Hami Nepal’ and ‘How to Desh Bikas’ and many other young content creators—kept posting on social media platforms with statements clarifying that the vandalism and violence were not theirs to own. They said that their aim was not to incite violence, and called on all demonstrators to exercise restraint before more lives and futures are lost.

The Gen Z activists released an official statement online, asserting that their movement remains committed to peaceful civic engagement and distancing itself from recent incidents of vandalism and looting.

In the statement titled ‘Clarification on Peaceful Movement and Public Property Vandalism,’ the groups, under the banner of ‘Gen Z Protestors’, emphasised that its activists have been actively volunteering on the ground to minimise risks, protect citizens, and safeguard public property.

The statement rejected any association with individuals or groups involved in destruction, and warned against attempts by political actors or opportunists to hijack the movement.

The group further claimed that it has no connection to the breach of Nakkhu Jail and the release of Rastriya Swatantra Party leader Rabi Lamichhane, who is accused of embezzling millions of rupees of cooperative deposits.

Looking ahead, the group encouraged volunteers to support efforts in safeguarding citizens and public property and requested that the Nepali Army assess the situation and implement curfews where necessary to maintain peace.

“Our goal remains firm: a proper government with qualified, non-corrupt leaders,” the statement said. “We will continue to stand for a better future through unity, integrity, and peaceful action.”

The group Hami Nepal, which had been providing medical support and serving as a communications channel for the Gen Z protests, issued a strong denunciation of the recent looting incidents. “This is not us,” the group said, referring to vandalism and reports of robbery at Rastriya Banijya Bank and Himalayan Bank. “Let it be absolutely clear: this is not Gen Z. This is not our movement. We do not promote it, and we will never stand with it.”

The statement further read, “Looting is a crime, no different from the corruption of the officials we are fighting against. Our struggle is for justice, dignity, and a better Nepal—not for chaos and theft.”

As reports of vandalism and violence continue to emerge across Nepal, Gen Z activists and online supporters have taken to social media to call for restraint, insisting that their movement has been “hijacked” by opportunistic forces.

Across platforms, content creators, activists, and ordinary participants have shared messages, emphasising that the true spirit of the Gen Z movement is rooted in peaceful protest and constructive dialogue, while trends such as “Gen Z Movement Hijacked” and “This is Not Us” have gained momentum.

Through pages like ‘Gen Z movement has been hijacked’, online supporters have sought to raise awareness about the distortion of their cause.

“The innocent lives we lost yesterday did not dream of this chaos,” reads one statement. “Their hopes were never to see Nepal burning. Nor are ours. Today, the Gen-Z Movement has been hijacked. For the lives we lost yesterday, for the dreams and hopes of Gen-Z, past, present, and future—we must unite to call out this hijacking and protect the true spirit of our movement.”

Protesters who were present at demonstrations on Monday echoed this sentiment.

“What the country is witnessing right now is not Gen Z,” one participant told the Post. “The anarchy, the chaos, the bloodshed, that is the work of opportunists, criminals, and failed leaders trying to smear our name.”

Another one added, “The real Gen Z, the ones who raised their voices online, who showed up in peaceful protest yesterday, are traumatised. We are crying for our friends, our families, and for a country spiralling into chaos.”

The page ‘Gen Z Movement Has Been Hijacked’ also urged followers to remain committed to peace. “We are the peaceholders,” it said. “The Gen Z movement was always about taking back our future from incapable leaders. Today, more than ever, we must not let it be stolen by vigilante and opportunistic so-called leaders.”

Similar calls for calm and reflection have reverberated across social media, as users engage in discussions about the growing power vacuum and the need for responsible governance.

Amid this, a ‘Template’ titled “We Don’t Support Rabi Lamichhane, RSP, Monarchs, Populists and Opportunists”, is gaining traction on Instagram, having been shared over 40,000 times as of Tuesday evening, as Gen Z protesters stress their movement is a non-partisan one.