Nepal lifts social media ban after 16 deaths in youth-led protests

Government revokes restrictions as Gen-Z demonstrators storm parliament over corruption and censorship

Kathmandu, September 8, 2025 — Nepal reinstated social media access on Monday afternoon following violent protests led by Gen-Z youths, which resulted in 16 deaths and over 200 injuries. The unrest began when more than 12,000 young demonstrators stormed the parliament premises in Kathmandu, protesting a government-imposed ban on 26 social media platforms and alleged corruption. This marked the first instance of parliament infiltration in Nepal’s history, prompting the army to open fire and authorities to impose a curfew in key areas, including the residences of the president, vice-president, and prime minister.

The protests escalated after police used tear gas and water cannons to control the crowd, but demonstrators breached barricades and occupied gates 1 and 2 of the parliament building. Kathmandu administration issued orders to shoot troublemakers on sight, intensifying the clashes. The government had banned platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube on September 3, citing non-compliance with registration mandates from the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, a deadline set on August 28 that expired on September 2.

The unrest, organized by the ‘Hami Nepal’ group with prior approval, saw participation from school students and widespread support from Nepali celebrities and diaspora. Actors Madan Krishna Shrestha and Hari Bansha Acharya condemned corruption and backed the youth, while former finance secretary Rameshwar Khanal attributed the outrage to governmental mismanagement. Former prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ urged the government to address the demands, and former foreign minister Pradeep Gyawali highlighted the lack of alternatives for the youth’s expression.

The ban stemmed from companies’ refusal to establish local offices, appoint content moderators, and share user data, conditions deemed too costly for Nepal’s small user base. Social media was restored by 3:15 PM without needing VPNs, following pressure from the protests. The National Security Council, chaired by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, convened an emergency meeting as the situation remains volatile, with demands for accountability and an end to censorship echoing across the nation.