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| Demonstrators jump out from the boundary wall of the parliament after being chased away by the riot police during a protest against corruption and the government's decision to block several social media platforms, in Kathmandu, Nepal, September 8, 2025.— Reuters |
Nepal Protests Turn Deadly as Police Crack Down on Youth Demonstrations Against Social Media Ban and Corruption
At least 19 people lost their lives in Nepal after police cracked down on young demonstrators in Kathmandu protesting against the government’s decision to ban social media and demanding tougher action against corruption. The protests, led largely by students and young professionals, spiraled into violent clashes that have shaken the Himalayan nation.
According to local officials, some protesters managed to breach barricades and forced their way into the parliament complex, where they set fire to an ambulance and hurled objects at riot police guarding the legislature. Witnesses described chaotic scenes as security forces responded with force.
“The police have been firing indiscriminately,” one protester told ANI. “Bullets missed me but hit a friend standing behind me. He was shot in the hand.”
Police confirmed that more than 100 people were injured, including at least 28 police personnel. Many of the wounded were rushed to hospitals on motorcycles by fellow demonstrators. In a separate incident, two more people were killed in violent clashes in the eastern city of Itahari.
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli called an emergency cabinet meeting to address the unrest, which erupted after thousands of young Nepalis—many still in their school and college uniforms—took to the streets waving flags and placards reading “Shut down corruption, not social media” and “Unban social media.”
Organizers labeled the movement as a “Gen Z protest,” describing it as an expression of growing frustration among young Nepalis over corruption, lack of accountability, and poor economic opportunities. “This is the protest by the new generation in Nepal,” one participant told reporters.
The demonstrations gained momentum after the government’s controversial decision last week to block access to several major social media platforms, including Facebook. Officials justified the move by claiming platforms had failed to register with authorities and were being misused for hate speech, fake news, and fraud. However, critics say the ban is a blatant attempt to stifle free expression in a country where nearly 90% of the population uses the internet.
Security forces were ordered to deploy water cannons, batons, and rubber bullets, while the army was stationed around parliament to support law enforcement. Authorities also imposed a curfew in Kathmandu’s Singha Durbar area, home to the prime minister’s office and several key government buildings, extending restrictions until late evening.
Although the violence subsided after nightfall, protesters remained camped outside parliament, vowing to continue their demonstrations. Similar rallies were also reported in Biratnagar, Bharatpur, and Pokhara.
Public dissatisfaction in Nepal has been brewing for years. Many citizens believe corruption is deeply entrenched in government institutions. Critics of the Oli administration accuse it of failing to create jobs or address economic stagnation. Thousands of young Nepalis leave the country annually to seek work or education abroad, a trend fueled by frustration with limited opportunities at home.
Former finance secretary Rameshwore Khanal said anger among the youth is not just about jobs but also about nepotism and corruption in government appointments. “People are losing faith because they see little accountability,” he remarked.
The social media ban in Nepal comes amid a global debate over regulating Big Tech. Governments worldwide are tightening controls over platforms, citing concerns over misinformation, online harm, and national security. Critics, however, warn that such measures could easily be misused to suppress dissent and curb democratic freedoms.
For Nepal’s restless youth, the protests highlight a generation unwilling to remain silent in the face of restrictions. But with at least 19 killed and scores injured, the crisis has exposed both the fragility of Nepal’s political order and the depth of public frustration that could define its future.