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At Least 19 Killed in Nepal’s ‘Gen Z’ Protests Over Social-Media Ban and Corruption

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At Least 19 Killed in Nepal's 'Gen Z' Protests Over Social-Media Ban and Corruption

At least 19 people were killed in Nepal’s capital Kathmandu and other cities after protests over a government social-media ban and corruption allegations turned violent. The clashes, led largely by young demonstrators, mark the most widespread unrest in Nepal’s recent history.

Authorities confirmed that 17 deaths occurred in Kathmandu, while two protesters died in the southeastern city of Itahari. Hundreds of others were injured nationwide. Police deployed tear gas, rubber bullets, water cannons, and, according to Amnesty International, live ammunition against protesters who stormed the Parliament.

The demonstrations began after the government banned 26 social-media platforms, including Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, for failing to register with the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology. The ban coincided with the rise of an online movement targeting “nepo kids”—children of political elites accused of using public funds for luxury lifestyles. The timing of the restrictions inflamed public anger and drew tens of thousands into the streets.

The protests quickly spread beyond Kathmandu to cities including Damak, Birtamod, Biratnagar, Janakpur, Bharatpur, Pokhara, Birgunj, Butwal, Bhairahawa, Tulsipur, and Dhangadhi. Protesters demanded the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and called for an independent anti-corruption watchdog. In Damak, some demonstrators targeted the Prime Minister’s residence.

The Nepali Supreme Court had previously ordered all social-media platforms to register before operating to allow monitoring of content deemed undesirable. Some platforms, such as TikTok and Viber, complied, while others refused, triggering the sweeping ban. The decision disrupted Facebook’s newly launched monetization program for Nepali creators and raised concerns over freedom of expression and economic impacts for businesses reliant on social platforms.

Home Affairs Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned following the deadly crackdown, and the government lifted the ban one day later. A probe panel was also established to investigate the violence. Prime Minister Oli stated that unrest escalated because of infiltration and attempts to protect institutions from vandalism.

The National Human Rights Commission condemned the excessive use of force and urged the government to respect the constitutional right to peaceful protest. Opposition parties, including the CPN (Maoist Center), demanded Oli’s resignation. Gagan Kumar Thapa, general secretary of the ruling Nepali Congress, said Oli “must take full responsibility” for the deaths.

Authorities have since imposed curfews in multiple cities, including Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Itahari. The army was deployed to support security forces. Despite the restrictions, protesters defied curfews, continuing demonstrations near the Parliament building.

Public sentiment remains defiant. Young activist Taya Chandra Pandey told the Kathmandu Post, “This is not being done by any political party; it’s purely driven by Gen Z. We have shown we have the power to sustain this movement.” Another activist, Priya Sigdel, said, “If we stay silent, these leaders and their children will only continue with the same corrupt system. Those responsible must be held accountable.”

The protests represent the largest youth-led challenge to Nepal’s government in recent memory, fueled by frustrations over corruption, governance, and restrictions on digital freedoms.