Nepal Gen Z Protests: The Social Media Ban

Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned on Tuesday, marking a dramatic turn amid massive protests led by Generation Z youth. The protests erupted largely because of a government ban on 26 popular social media platforms and deeper frustrations over corruption, nepotism, and economic hardships faced by many Nepalese young people.

The unrest escalated over the weekend with thousands taking to the streets in Kathmandu and across the country. Protesters demanded an end to corruption and called for greater transparency and youth empowerment. The government’s initial response included a forceful crackdown, which turned deadly when security forces used tear gas, water cannons, rubber bullets, and live ammunition against demonstrators. At least 19 protesters died, and hundreds were injured during violent clashes.

Following the intense public backlash and fatalities, the government revoked the social media ban late Monday evening. However, the ban lift did little to quell public anger as protests continued with renewed vigor, now explicitly demanding political reforms and accountability.

On Tuesday, after hundreds of protesters stormed and vandalized multiple government buildings, including the Parliament and residences of top leaders, Oli submitted his resignation. His stepping down came after mounting pressure within his coalition and the public following deadly violence and widespread unrest. The Nepalese President Ram Chandra Paudel accepted the resignation.

Several ministers of Oli’s government had already resigned, and there are calls for forming an interim government, dissolving the Parliament, and holding fresh elections. Meanwhile, reports suggest Oli could leave the country, with plans to fly to Dubai.

This political crisis highlights the potent combination of digital-era mobilization and long-standing grievances among Nepal’s youth. Their demands go beyond social media freedom to call for systemic governance reforms aimed at ending corruption and creating equal opportunities. The nation now faces uncertainty as it navigates this historic moment with hopes for a more transparent, inclusive future.

Nepal’s Generation Z (people born roughly between the mid-1990s and early 2010s) has recently led massive protests that revealed serious frustrations not only about government-imposed social media bans but also about widespread corruption, inequality, and economic difficulties in the country. This movement, sparked by the ban on popular social media apps, quickly grew into a broad revolt expressing deeper dissatisfaction with how Nepal has been governed for decades. These protests have been some of the largest and deadliest in recent Nepalese history and illustrate the complexity of modern political struggles in a youth-driven digital age.

The government's ban on 26 major social media platforms, including Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, X (formerly Twitter), and others, was announced on September 4, 2025. This ban followed new regulatory guidelines requiring these platforms to register with Nepal’s communication ministry, appoint local grievance handlers, and comply with content-monitoring rules. Officials said these rules aimed to combat misinformation, hate speech, cybercrime, and issues related to fake accounts spread online. However, the ban was seen by many, especially young Nepalese people, as an attempt to silence dissent and control the flow of information.

For Nepal’s youth, social media is far more than entertainment. It is a vital space for keeping informed, mobilizing politically, sharing personal expression, accessing education, and reaching out internationally. In Nepal, where millions have emigrated abroad for work, these platforms also help maintain connections with family and diaspora communities. The sudden ban disrupted everyday life for many and sparked anger and fear of censorship.

Soon, thousands of protesters, mainly young people under 28 years old, gathered in Kathmandu and several other cities. Many wore school uniforms as a symbol of their youth and solidarity. The protests started as peaceful demands to lift the ban but quickly expanded to call for accountability against corruption and nepotism—the unfair advantage given to children and families of politicians and elites. Young demonstrators shared viral videos and posts critiquing the so-called “Nepo babies,” a term referring to the privileged offspring of Nepal’s political class who live lavish lifestyles while everyday citizens struggle to make ends meet.

The protests intensified on September 8, when security forces responded with tear gas, water cannons, rubber bullets, and live ammunition after some protesters tried to breach government buildings such as the Parliament. Tragically, this led to at least 19 deaths and hundreds of injuries, making it one of the deadliest political conflicts in Nepal for many years. The violence shocked the nation and drew international attention, pushing the government to reconsider its position.

Despite the government's assertion that the ban was about lawful regulation, many protesters and observers argue that it was a disguised form of censorship intended to shield the ruling elites from criticism and control political narratives. The government has long been criticized for weak governance, political instability, and corruption allegations that have persisted since Nepal became a democratic republic in 2008. Notably, no prime minister in the last 20 years has managed to complete a full term, which underscores the country’s political volatility.

Economically, Nepal faces a severe jobs crisis, especially among youth. Many young people leave the country daily to work abroad, often under difficult conditions, because of limited employment and low wages at home. This out-migration drains the country of its young workforce and fuels social discontent. The disparity between the affluent political elite’s families and the struggles of ordinary Nepalese citizens is stark and well documented on social media. While Nepal’s prime minister officially earns less than 65,000 Nepalese rupees (approximately $500) monthly, political families reportedly live with wealth valued in the millions, including luxury homes, cars, and expensive international travel.

The movement behind these protests is largely leaderless and decentralized, with grassroots groups such as “Hami Nepal” playing key roles in organizing. The protesters have called for an end to corruption, increased transparency, social justice, and respect for democratic freedoms — especially freedom of expression online.

The government’s reaction to the protests was initially harsh, including declaring curfews, deploying the military in Kathmandu, and using forceful crowd control measures. However, the fallout from the violence forced Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s government to lift the social media ban on September 8, restoring access to the banned platforms. The Home Minister, Ramesh Lekhak, resigned on moral grounds following the clashes. Despite the ban’s lifting, protests continued, now with a more explicit focus on political reform, anti-corruption demands, and improved economic opportunities for youth.

This unfolding crisis offers insight into the tensions between state control and citizen freedoms in a digital era. Young Nepalese protestors, raised with internet access and global information, are demanding more accountability and inclusion from a political system many find unresponsive and corrupt. While the government’s concern about misinformation and cybercrime is real, the approach of widespread censorship risks alienating the population it needs to govern effectively.

Several experts and commentators suggest the Nepalese government must engage in more honest dialogue with its youth and civil society and undertake serious reforms to combat corruption and nepotism. These reforms include creating transparent mechanisms for investigating and punishing graft, opening up economic opportunities for young people through education and job programs, and crafting balanced regulations for social media that protect users’ rights while addressing harmful content.

The protests mark a critical moment in Nepal’s political evolution. They demonstrate that young people, empowered by technology and social media, can mobilize quickly and effectively but also that unaddressed grievances around inequality and governance can generate deep social unrest. Whether Nepal can turn this moment into lasting change depends on its leaders’ willingness to listen, reform, and rebuild trust with its next generation.

In summary, Nepal’s Gen Z protest movement began as a reaction to a government social media ban but quickly revealed long-standing frustrations with corruption, nepotism, political instability, economic hardship, and lack of opportunities. This movement, marked by widespread youth participation and tragic violence, highlights the complex challenges Nepal faces as a developing democracy navigating the pressures of digital age governance and social justice. The government’s decision to lift the ban was a step back from immediate crisis, but long-term solutions will require sincere reforms, transparency, and youth engagement to rebuild faith in the nation’s future.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies