Nepal: Will social media ban be revoked after Gen-Z protest killed 14?

Nepal is being engulfed by Gen Z protests

At least 14 people were killed and 42 injured after youths clashed with police in Nepal’s Kathmandu. Authorities have now imposed a day-long curfew in parts of the capital and the army has been deployed. However, protests are said to have spread to other parts of the country.

So, why are Gen Z protests raging in Nepal?

The move by the KP Sharma Oli government to ban more than two dozen social media apps — including Facebook, YouTube, X, WhatsApp, Signal and WeChat — has drawn the ire of the youth. Protesters are also raging against what they see as a pervasive and institutionalised culture of corruption in the government.

What happened?

On Monday, thousands of youths, many in their school and college uniforms, took to the streets of Kathmandu. Many carried national flags and placards with slogans such as “Shut down corruption and not social media,” “Unban social media,” and “Youths against corruption.” The protest was quickly dubbed a Gen Z uprising — referring to people born between 1995 and 2010.

#WATCH | Nepal | Protest turned violent in Kathmandu as people staged a massive protest against the ban on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and other social media sites, leading to clashes between police and protesters. pic.twitter.com/YWNj3R0wUG

— ANI (@ANI) September 8, 2025

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Organisers used TikTok, which remains online, to coordinate. Tensions rose when protesters began marching towards Nepal’s parliament and surrounding restricted areas. While many were blocked by barbed wire barricades, some managed to enter restricted zones, including the parliament compound.

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Authorities cracked down hard. Reports suggest that police fired on the protesters. They also used water cannons, tear gas and rubber bullets, while demonstrators responded by hurling water bottles and tree branches.

At least one person present during the violent clashes in New Baneshwor died from injuries while being treated at Civil Hospital. Journalist Shyam Shrestha, who was covering the protests, was injured after being hit by a rubber bullet and is also undergoing treatment. The names and identities of the other deceased remain unknown for now.

Some protesters accused the police of instigating the violence and firing on crowds.

“We were planning to hold a peaceful protest, but as we advanced further, we saw the violence by the police. The police are firing on people, which goes against the essence of a peaceful protest. Those in power cannot impose their will on us. Anti-corruption protests are being suppressed, which is against freedom of speech and the right to expression,” one protester said.

“A while ago, the police fired bullets. They missed me but hit my friend standing behind me in the hand. The firing is still going on and we can hear gunfire from inside parliament as well. My friend, who was standing on the road, was shot in the head. The police are firing indiscriminately, aiming above the knees. Are they even allowed to do this?” another protester asked.

Authorities first imposed a curfew in New Baneshwor, the site of the clashes, but later extended it to several high-security zones including the President’s residence at Shital Niwas, the Vice-President’s residence in Lainchaur, Maharajgunj, all sides of Singha Durbar, the Prime Minister’s residence in Baluwatar, and nearby areas.

“We have imposed a curfew that will remain in effect until 10 pm local time to bring the situation under control after protesters turned violent,” Kathmandu district office spokesperson Muktiram Rijal said. He added that security forces were ordered to use water cannons, batons and rubber bullets to push back the demonstrators.

Reports suggest the protests have also spread outside the capital. In eastern Nepal’s Damak, demonstrators marched from Damak Chowk towards the municipal office. They burnt an effigy of Prime Minister Oli and attempted to break open the office gates.

One person was critically injured after police resorted to force. Several motorcycles were burnt and protesters hurled tear gas shells back at the police, who used riot shields to defend themselves.

Why has the Oli government banned these apps?

Nepal banned two dozen social media sites last week after they failed to register with the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology. This cut off millions across Nepal from platforms they rely on for news, entertainment and business. Around 90 per cent of Nepal’s 30 million population uses the internet. Facebook alone has about 13.5 million users in the country, while Instagram has 3.6 million.

The move followed a Nepal Supreme Court ruling last year, which ordered social media companies to appoint local officers to handle grievances and ensure compliance. None of the banned firms met the deadline, a week after August 28.

A number of platforms including TikTok, Viber, Witk, Nimbuzz and Popo Live have complied with the government. Telegram and Global Diary have also submitted applications.

Protesters say the fight is not just about social media access. Many are targeting what they call a pervasive culture of corruption and lack of accountability in government. They have demanded that Nepal’s “corrupt leaders” disclose their ill-gotten gains.

“We were triggered by the social media ban, but that is not the only reason we are gathered here,” said student Yujan Rajbhandari, 24. “We are protesting against corruption that has been institutionalised in Nepal.”

Another student, Ikshama Tumrok, 20, added: “We are protesting against the authoritarian attitude of the government. We want to see change. Others have endured this, but it has to end with our generation.”

Oli remains defiant

Prime Minister Oli has defended his government’s actions.

“I hear of a planned ‘Gen Z rebellion.’ We are not against platforms or social networks, we are against lawlessness, arrogance, and belittling our country,” he said on Monday.

Oli argued that global platforms had refused for over a year to register under Nepali law or pay taxes.

“They replied, ‘We don’t know your constitution.’ Then intellectuals complain: four jobs lost. But are four jobs bigger than national self-respect? For self-respect, maybe four jobs go for four days, but new ones will come. They cannot be operators, managers, and consumers all at once,” he said.

However, there are hints that the government could backtrack. Government spokesperson Prithvi Subba Gurung has said that discussions are underway to reconsider the decision to ban social media.

Gurung, who is also the Minister of Communications and Information Technology, has said the issue will be discussed in the cabinet meeting that the prime minister has called today (September 8).

He said, “The government’s decisions are not more important than the lives of the people.” “The lives of our people are the most important thing. If the decisions made by the government need to be reconsidered in terms of policy, there is no point in us remaining steadfast again,” he said.

The government on Sunday reiterated that it respects freedom of thought and expression, saying it is working to “create an environment for their protection and unfettered use.”

Nepal had earlier blocked Telegram in July and briefly banned TikTok, reversing the move after the platform complied with Nepali law.