Former Minister Dhan Bahadur Budha Alleges Attack and Looting in Gen Z Protest

Kathmandu — Former Urban Development Minister and Unified Socialist leader Dhan Bahadur Budha has accused unidentified groups of infiltrating the Gen Z protests and vandalizing his private residence in Boudha, Kathmandu.

In a statement released on Friday, Budha said his seven-storey house was set on fire during the unrest, causing extensive damage. He reported that three vehicles and three motorcycles were burned, while valuables including gold, silver, and diamonds were looted.

“What unfolded was not a genuine protest. It was infiltration under the Gen Z banner, where opportunists took advantage of the unrest. This was nothing short of fishing in troubled waters,” Budha said.

Budha, active in politics since 1998, noted his rise from district development chair to being directly elected as a lawmaker from remote Dolpa. He condemned the violence and warned that such incidents distort the real essence of the youth movement.