Nepal has been rocked by deadly protests after the government banned over two dozen major social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, sparking outrage among the country’s Gen Z youth. At least 19 people have died and more than 100 were injured as police fired live ammunition, rubber bullets, and tear gas at demonstrators—many of whom were teenagers and students in school uniforms—outside the parliament in Kathmandu.
The restrictions, imposed from September 4, cited noncompliance from social media companies that failed to register with authorities. The move was widely criticized by thousands of young Nepalis, who saw it as a blow to free speech. Protesters carried signs reading “Unban social media” and “End corruption, not social media” as rallies erupted across Kathmandu and quickly spread to other cities.
Clashes intensified when demonstrators broke through police barricades and entered the parliament complex. Reports indicate the police fired ‘indiscriminately,’ leading to multiple fatalities and hospitals overwhelmed with those wounded by gunfire and crowd-control weapons.
Authorities imposed curfews and deployed the army in Kathmandu to contain the unrest. The government, facing mounting criticism, announced the formation of an independent inquiry committee to investigate police actions and the deaths.
For Nepal’s youth, the protests transcend the social media ban. Many are frustrated by persistent corruption, unstable governments, and limited job opportunities. Organizers dubbed this movement the “Gen Z protests,” reflecting a new generation’s demand for accountability and free expression.
With the situation still tense, Nepal stands at a turning point as the world watches its youth push for change and justice.
