Following a ban of major social media platforms in Nepal, violent protests have forced the Prime Minister to resign. The army is currently controlling the situation and has announced that they will discuss matters of government with “related interest groups.”
On September 8th, 2025, tens of thousands started protesting against a ban on unregistered social media platforms and corruption. The demonstrations, dubbed “Gen Z protests” by the media for its high proportion of young people participating, turned violent quickly after protesters were injured and killed in clashes with the police.
The government had issued multiple curfews and deployed the army to restore order. Protesters also tried entering the parliament building, which resulted in another 19 protesters killed in the ensuing clash with the police that allegedly used life ammunition against the protesters.[1][2][3][4]
The consequent events are hard to trace back because vague reports are intermingled with rumors. Protests continued after the initial ban was lifted. By the evening of September 9th, protesters had set aflame homes of multiple politicians, as well as attacking and injuring some of them. The parliament building, the Supreme Court, Singha Durbar (administrative hub of the government), media houses, banks, and other public buildings were lit on fire as well. The pressure on security forces allowed thousands of prisoners to be released.[5]
Prime minister K. P. Sharma Oli had announced his resignation and is rumored to be preparing to flee the country, with his current whereabouts being unknown. Other politicians have been reported to have fled into army protection. On the evening of September 9th, rioting and looting, including the seizure of police weapons, had brought normal public life in Kathmandu momentarily to a stand-still.[6]
On the morning of September 10th, the army had reportedly taken control of the situation and imposed another curfew. In a statement, it blamed the riots on only certain “anarchic” elements that had allegedly infiltrated the protests.[7]
The army has also announced to discuss the issue of government with “related groups,”[8] while representatives from civil society demand that a neutral interim government facilitates new elections.[9] Currently it is unclear whether the army will allow the President to try to solve the crisis constitutionally under the still-remaining government or if it will give in to the protesters’ demands.
In 2023, Nepal’s Supreme Court decided that social media platforms must register in Nepal with the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology before operation to prevent the unmoderated spread of unwanted content. As a reaction, the government had issued multiple public notices directly addressed to major social media platforms since November 2023 to demand that they comply with the “Social Media Directives 2080.”
While some platforms like TikTok, Viber, and Telegram had completed registration or were in the process of doing so, platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook ignored the order.[10]
After the final deadline for registration had passed on August 28th 2025, the government ordered the block of non-complying platforms on September 4th. Although the official idea behind the mandatory registration was to make these platforms more secure for its users, there were also suspicions that the government would use the law to censor social media to its liking. Additionally, the sudden block was criticized on the grounds that it would have major implications for ordinary citizens and Nepal’s economy, which relies heavily on them for personal communication, business, and advertisement.[11][12]
Sources
[1] Indefinite curfew imposed in Itahari as Gen Z protests escalate. The Himalayan Times. Retrieved from: https://web.archive.org/web/20250908145427/https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/indefinite-curfew-imposed-in-itahari-as-gen-z-protests-escalate
[2] Curfew imposed in Butwal-Bhairahawa amid escalating Gen Z protests. The Himalayan Times. Retrieved from: https://web.archive.org/web/20250908145427/https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/curfew-imposed-in-butwalbhairahawa-amid-escalating-gen-z-protests
[3] In Pictures: Glimpses of Gen Z protests on Tuesday. The Himalayan Times. Retrieved from: https://thehimalayantimes.com/photo-gallery/in-pictures-glimpses-of-gen-z-protests-on-tuesday
[4] Gen Z protests ecalate: Malpot and Napi offices in Kalanki torched. The Himalayan Times. Retrieved from: https://web.archive.org/web/20250910152705/https://thehimalayantimes.com/kathmandu/gen-z-protests-escalate-malpot-and-napi-offices-in-kalanki-torched
[5] Gen Z protests ecalate: Malpot and Napi offices in Kalanki torched. The Himalayan Times. Retrieved from: https://web.archive.org/web/20250910152705/https://thehimalayantimes.com/kathmandu/gen-z-protests-escalate-malpot-and-napi-offices-in-kalanki-torched
[6] President Paudel accepts KP Sharma Oli’s resignation as PM. The Himalayan Times. Retrieved from: https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/president-paudel-accepts-kp-sharma-olis-resignation-as-pm
[7] Nepali army imposes prohibitory order curfew nationwide until Wednesday morning. The Himalayan Times. Retrieved from: https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/nepali-army-imposes-prohibitory-order-curfew-nationwide-until-wednesday-morning
[8] Nepal Army’s Appeal Regarding the Prohibitory Order and the Curfew. Indepth Story on Instagram. Retrieved from: https://www.instagram.com/p/DOaFb19iT4w/?img_index=1&igsh=YnpzYzJxd3BwdTBu
[9] Announcement by spokesperson of Haminepal. Nimesh Shrestha on Instagram. Retrieved from: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOar8hKjOAU/?igsh=cjBxMHkxNjAxdXA1
[10] Nepal’s social media ban explained in six questions. Kathmandu Post. Retrieved from: https://web.archive.org/web/20250904164442/https://kathmandupost.com/national/2025/09/04/nepal-s-social-media-ban-explained-in-six-questions
[11] Regulation of social sites is positive move: CAN federation. The Himalayan Times. Retrieved from: https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/regulation-of-social-sites-is-positive-move-can-federation
[12] Nepal govt directs NTA to block unregistered social media platforms in Nepal. The Himalayan Times. Retrieved from: https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/govt-directs-nta-to-block-unregistered-social-media-platforms-in-nepal
Photo: 2025 Nepalese Gen Z protesters in front of Bharatpur mahanagarpalika office by हिमाल सुवेदी, CC BY-SA 4.0.
NEW POWER 
Leave a comment