NEPAL : 16 Dead, 80 Injured Amid Protests Over Social Media Ban, Police Fire Tear Gas

8th September 2025 at 2:48 PM

2 minutes read

Gen Zs are spearheading a massive protest in Nepal against corruption in the KP Sharma Oli government and its recent move to restrict social media platforms.

New Delhi : Gen Zs are spearheading a massive protest in Nepal against corruption in the KP Sharma Oli government and its recent move to restrict social media platforms. Security forces opened fire, leaving 16 protesters dead and more than 80 others injured. Thousands of young protesters flooded Kathmandu in what has been dubbed the ‘Gen Z Revolution’. Many breached restricted zones, breaking through police barricades. As the clashes escalated, police opened fire at multiple locations, prompting authorities to impose a curfew in the capital.

The administration imposed a curfew order covering the Parliament area and other key locations in the capital, as the situation grew increasingly volatile from the early hours of the day. The Gen Z-led movement was ignited by the government’s decision on September 4 to block 26 social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, and YouTube, for failing to register with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.

Despite phone and internet blackouts imposed by the government, Gen Z activists turned to alternative platforms such as TikTok and Reddit to mobilise. Thousands of young demonstrators gathered, chanting slogans against the government and its policies. The march began at Maitighar Mandala and advanced towards the Parliament building. Police erected barricades, but the enraged crowd broke through, prompting officers to fire tear gas and deploy water cannons.

Videos and images circulating online showed tear gas canisters arcing through the air, while demonstrators hurled branches and water bottles at police. Many of the agitators joined the march in school and college uniforms, carrying flags and placards with slogans such as “Independent voice is our right” and “Where has the taxpayers’ money gone?”

Dubbed the ‘Gen Z Revolution,’ the movement stems from simmering anger over corruption and economic inequality, analysts argue. Meanwhile, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli defended the government’s decision to ban unregistered social media platforms, asserting that “any attempt to undermine the nation can never be tolerated,” even as several groups opposed the move.

Speaking at a convention of the ruling Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist), Oli said the party would always stand against anomalies and arrogance, and never accept any act that weakens the nation. 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. Social media companies were given seven days from August 28 to register.