Nepal Plunged into Chaos: Deadly Gen Z Protests Over Social Media Ban and Corruption
Kathmandu, September 9, 2025 – Nepal is grappling with its worst unrest in decades, as violent protests led by the country’s youth, dubbed the “Gen Z protests,” erupted across Kathmandu and other cities on Monday, September 8, 2025, leaving at least 19 dead and over 400 injured. The demonstrations, initially sparked by a government-imposed ban on social media platforms, escalated into a broader outcry against systemic corruption, nepotism, and economic woes, culminating in the resignation of Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli on Tuesday, September 9, 2025. The crisis has drawn international concern, with curfews imposed, the Nepal Army deployed, and the India-Nepal border on high alert.
The Spark: Social Media Ban and Youth Frustration
The unrest began following the government’s decision on September 4, 2025, to block 26 major social media platforms, including Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube, after they failed to register with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology by the September 3 deadline. The government cited concerns over misinformation, hate speech, and cybercrime, claiming platforms needed to appoint local contacts and comply with regulations to maintain “social harmony.” However, the sweeping ban, affecting a country where 90% of its 30 million people use the internet, was widely criticized as an attempt to curb freedom of expression and silence dissent.
For Nepal’s tech-savvy Gen Z, who make up 20.8% of the population, the ban was the final straw in a long list of grievances. Youth frustration has been brewing over chronic political instability, rampant corruption, and limited economic opportunities, with nearly 14% of Nepal’s working-age population migrating abroad for jobs. The protests, organized by the nonprofit Hami Nepal, began at 9:00 AM (03:15 GMT) on Monday in Kathmandu’s Maitighar neighborhood, near the iconic Maitighar Mandala monument. Demonstrators, many in school or college uniforms, carried placards reading “Shut down corruption, not social media” and “Youths against corruption,” demanding accountability and an end to the ban.
Escalation and Violence
The protests quickly turned violent as thousands marched toward the Federal Parliament building in New Baneshwor, Kathmandu. Clashes erupted when protesters broke through police barricades, stormed the parliament complex, and set fire to an ambulance. Police responded with tear gas, water cannons, rubber bullets, and, in some cases, live ammunition, leading to 17 deaths in Kathmandu and two in Itahari, eastern Nepal. Over 100 people, including 28 police officers, were injured, with many protesters hit by rubber bullets or treated for tear gas exposure at hospitals like Civil Hospital and the National Trauma Centre.
Eyewitnesses reported chaotic scenes, with protesters hurling stones, tree branches, and water bottles at riot police. One demonstrator told ANI, “The police have been firing indiscriminately. [They] fired bullets which missed me but hit a friend who was standing behind me.” The Kathmandu Post reported that eight victims died at the National Trauma Centre alone, highlighting the severity of the crackdown.
Government Response and Escalation
As the situation spiraled, the Kathmandu District Administration Office imposed a curfew in parts of the capital from Monday evening, extended to Singha Durbar, the prime minister’s office, until 10:00 PM (16:15 GMT). Despite the curfew, protests continued into Tuesday, with demonstrators defying restrictions and setting fire to government buildings, including the residences of Prime Minister Oli in Balkot, President Ram Chandra Poudel, and Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak. The parliament complex was also set ablaze, with visuals showing thick black smoke billowing from the site. Protesters vandalized the Supreme Court, the Attorney General’s office, and the Hilton hotel in Kathmandu, owned by a ruling party leader.
Late Monday, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned on “moral grounds” during an emergency cabinet meeting called by Oli, following pressure from Nepali Congress leaders. By Tuesday, Oli himself resigned after hundreds stormed his office and residence, with his aide Prakash Silwal confirming the decision. The Nepal Army was deployed to enforce curfews and evacuate ministers via helicopters from their residences in Bhaisepati. Tribhuvan International Airport partially closed due to nearby violence, canceling all flights and disrupting operations.
The government reversed the social media ban late Monday, with Minister of Communications Prithvi Subba Gurung announcing, “We have withdrawn the shutdown of the social media. They are working now.” Gurung urged protesters to suspend their agitation, promising relief for victims’ families and free treatment for the injured. A judicial committee was formed to investigate the unrest within 15 days, but these measures did little to quell the anger.
Political Fallout and Protesters’ Demands
The protests, described as a “defining moment” for Nepal, reflect deep-seated frustration with the country’s political system, which has seen 14 governments since the monarchy’s abolition in 2008. Oli, sworn in for his fourth term in 2024, faced accusations of misgovernance and failing to address corruption scandals like the Bhutanese refugee scam and gold smuggling. Hami Nepal’s president, Sudan Gurung, demanded Oli’s immediate resignation and the formation of an interim government, stating, “This government has no morals to continue. Everyone is responsible for the deaths of our brothers and sisters.”
In a significant political move, 21 Members of Parliament from the Rashtriya Swatantra Party (RSP), led by Ravi Lamichhane, resigned en masse on Tuesday, calling for the dissolution of parliament and fresh elections. The RSP, which gained prominence in the 2022 elections, has supported the protests from the outset. Meanwhile, Nepali Congress leader Shekhar Koirala urged ministers from his faction to resign, while the Gagan Thapa faction deliberated its next steps.
Protesters coordinated actions via the Discord app, sharing instructions on targeting police stations, making Molotov cocktails, and disabling airplane tires with acetylene gas. These tactics underscored the tech-savvy nature of the movement, which some likened to a potential “Bangladesh moment” for Nepal, referencing the recent ousting of Sheikh Hasina in Bangladesh.
International and Regional Impact
The unrest prompted international concern. The United Nations Human Rights Office expressed shock at the killings, with spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani calling for a “prompt and transparent investigation” into allegations of excessive force by security forces. A joint statement from the embassies of Australia, Finland, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK, and the US affirmed support for peaceful assembly and urged restraint. UN Resident Coordinator Hanaa Singer-Hamdy described the violence as “so unlike Nepal,” noting that many of her staff were in tears, unaccustomed to such bloodshed.
India, Nepal’s neighbor, placed its 1,751-km border on high alert, with increased security at Panitanki, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh districts. The Indian government advised its nationals in Nepal to “exercise caution and adhere to guidelines issued by Nepali authorities.” BJP leader Dilip Ghosh expressed hope for a swift resolution, emphasizing India’s “good relations” with Nepal and the need for a “capable government.”
Historical Context and Broader Implications
Nepal’s nascent democracy, established after the 2008 abolition of a 239-year-old monarchy, has been marred by instability and corruption. The protests echo earlier unrest, such as the March 2025 pro-monarchy demonstrations that left two dead, but their scale and intensity mark them as the most significant in two decades. Political historian Rajesh Gautam noted that student movements, once focused on social and educational reforms, have been corrupted by political conspiracies, with no student elections held since 2017.
The social media ban, perceived as an attack on freedom of expression, has galvanized Nepal’s youth, who see digital platforms as vital for business, communication, and dissent. Critics argue the government’s proposed bill to regulate social media is a tool for censorship, risking further erosion of democratic space. Human Rights Watch called for the government to address the protests’ root causes—corruption, nepotism, and poor governance—rather than viewing them solely through a law enforcement lens.
As protests spread to cities like Pokhara, Biratnagar, Bharatpur, Sarlahi, and Rautahat, local administrations imposed curfews to contain the unrest. The violence has disrupted daily life, with public transport halted and businesses shuttered. The economic toll is significant, with Nepal already reeling from a February 2025 Financial Action Task Force grey-listing for failing to curb money laundering, further straining its economy.
Looking Ahead
The resignation of Oli and the lifting of the social media ban have not appeased protesters, who continue to demand systemic reform and accountability for the deaths. The formation of a judicial committee offers a glimmer of hope, but the path forward remains uncertain. With the Nepal Army deployed and political factions in disarray, the country faces a critical juncture. The international community, including the UN and Nepal’s allies, has called for dialogue to address the youth’s concerns and prevent further bloodshed.
As Nepal navigates this crisis, the Gen Z protests underscore a generational demand for a fairer, more accountable government. Whether this movement will lead to lasting change or further instability remains to be seen, but for now, Kathmandu remains on edge, its vibrant democracy tested by the fury of its youth.
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