Nepal’s ‘Gen Z' revolution: How a social media shutdown sparked a nationwide youth protest | Explained

Nepal is witnessing its biggest youth-led protests in years as thousands of young people flood Kathmandu demanding an end to corruption and the lifting of a sweeping social media ban. What began online has spilled into the streets, with demonstrators surrounding Parliament and clashing with police. Security forces have opened fire at multiple locations, leaving one protester dead and more than 80 injured.

Protesters accuse Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s government of “curbing free speech” and “ignoring public concerns,” and the turmoil has been further fuelled by a rare public address from former King Gyanendra, whose words emboldened calls for a return to monarchy and even revival of a Hindu Rashtra.

The spark: A ban on social media platforms

The immediate trigger was the Oli government’s decision on September 4 to block 26 major platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, X, LinkedIn, Signal and YouTube. The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology said the companies had been given seven days from August 28 to register in Nepal, establish a point of contact, and designate compliance and grievance officers. When the deadline expired without compliance, the government imposed a blanket shutdown.

The ministry claimed the move was about regulatory compliance. But rights groups and businesses denounced it as an assault on democracy and economic freedoms. Protesters see it as a direct act of censorship aimed at suppressing critical voices and organised dissent.

How the movement grew

Although the government imposed phone and internet blackouts, digital-savvy Gen Z activists turned to alternative platforms such as TikTok and Reddit to mobilise. Thousands of demonstrators gathered at Maitighar Mandala before marching toward the Parliament building, chanting slogans against corruption and the social media ban. Waving national flags, they began their protest with the national anthem before unleashing chants against the prohibitions.

Videos circulating online showed tear gas canisters arcing through the air as demonstrators hurled branches and water bottles at police. Many breached restricted zones and broke through police barricades. Some protesters managed to enter the Parliament compound, prompting authorities to impose a curfew covering the Parliament area and other key locations in the capital.

Voices from the streets

The protest movement is not just about the ban but also about deeper frustration with corruption and inequality. “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, said she was 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,” she told AFP.

Since the ban, TikTok has become a rallying space where videos contrasting the struggles of ordinary Nepalis with the children of politicians flaunting luxury goods and expensive vacations have gone viral. “There have been movements abroad against corruption and they (the government) are afraid that might happen here as well,” said protester Bhumika Bharati.

Oli’s defence of the ban

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has doubled down on the government’s decision. Speaking at a convention of the ruling Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist), he said the party would “always stand against anomalies and arrogance, and never accept any act that weakens the nation.”

“Any attempt to undermine the nation can never be tolerated,” he asserted. “The independence of the nation is greater than the loss of jobs of a handful of individuals. How can it be acceptable to defy the law, disregard the constitution, and disrespect national dignity, independence, and sovereignty,” he said.

The government also issued a statement on Sunday saying it respected freedom of thought and expression and was committed to “creating an environment for their protection and unfettered use.”

Nepal has restricted access to popular online platforms before. In July the government blocked access to Telegram citing a rise in online fraud and money laundering. It lifted a nine-month ban on TikTok in August last year after the platform agreed to comply with Nepali regulations. The current clampdown is by far the largest, affecting platforms with millions of Nepali users who rely on them for entertainment, news and business.