Gen-Z-Led Protests in Nepal Turn Deadly Over Social Media Ban

By Devaki Bist

Kathmandu, September 8, 2025 — What began as widespread discontent among Nepal’s youth has escalated into full-blown unrest across the nation. Frustrated by government overreach and corruption, thousands of demonstrators—mostly young people—have taken to the streets in cities such as Kathmandu, Pokhara, Nepalgunj, Biratnagar, Butwal, and Chitwan.

The protests ignited after Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s administration moved to block access to some 26 prominent social media platforms—including Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), WhatsApp, and YouTube—on accusations that they failed to register under newly enforced oversight rules. While a few apps like TikTok and Viber have registered and remain accessible, the broader blackout triggered widespread outrage, with demonstrators denouncing it as a violation of free speech.

The initial gatherings began around Kathmandu, particularly near Parliament in New Baneshwar. Peaceful protests quickly turned confrontational as crowds pushed through barricades and stormed restricted zones, including the Parliament’s grounds, prompting authorities to scramble with measures to regain control.

Security forces responded with water cannons, tear gas, rubber bullets, and batons. In several areas, police escalated to live fire, resulting in a tragic rise in casualties. Reports vary: some sources say at least 10 people were killed, while others report totals of 14 or even 16 deaths, with dozens more injured—and over 100 in some accounts.

A curfew was swiftly enforced in key parts of Kathmandu—including around Parliament, Singha Durbar, and other government complexes—to contain the unrest. The Nepal Army was also deployed to reinforce local authorities.

Chanting slogans such as “Stop the ban on social media, stop corruption not social media,” protesters—many clad in school or college uniforms—emphasized their calls for digital freedom and transparency in governance.

Amid the turmoil, Prime Minister Oli defended the policy, stating that national sovereignty and regulatory compliance take precedence—even if it disrupts digital freedoms. This stance has intensified debates on democracy, media control, and youth disillusionment in the Himalayan nation.