In the heart of Kathmandu, Nepal, a wave of youth-led protests erupted on Monday, September 8, 2025, shaking the nation’s political core and sending shockwaves across Nepali communities worldwide. The demonstrations, fueled by anger over a controversial government ban on social media and long-standing allegations of corruption, have resulted in at least 22 deaths and nearly 200 injuries, marking one of the most turbulent periods in Nepal’s recent history, according to reporting by BBC.
The unrest began when the government abruptly blocked 26 major social media platforms—including WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook—after the companies failed to register with Nepal’s Ministry of Communication and Information Technology. For a country with one of South Asia’s highest per capita rates of social media use, the ban was more than an inconvenience; it was seen as a direct assault on freedom of speech and a calculated move to stifle growing anti-corruption sentiment.
As thousands—many proudly identifying as Gen Z—poured into the streets of Kathmandu and other cities, their banners and placards made their message clear: they wanted an end to corruption, not just the restoration of their digital lifelines. The protests quickly escalated, with demonstrators scaling the walls of the parliament and other government buildings. Police responded with tear gas, water cannons, batons, rubber bullets, and even live ammunition. By the end of Monday, 19 protesters had lost their lives, and almost 200 people—including police officers—were wounded.
“We want to see an end to corruption in Nepal,” Binu KC, a 19-year-old college student, told BBC Nepali. “Leaders promise one thing during elections but never deliver. They are the cause of so many problems.” She added that the social media ban had disrupted her education, cutting off access to online classes and study materials.
The movement, marked by its lack of centralized leadership, drew strength from the country’s youth. Students from colleges and universities across Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Itahari joined the marches, some still in their school uniforms, books in hand. Videos circulating online even showed schoolchildren taking part in the demonstrations. The slogans “#Nepo Baby” and “#Nepo Kids”—terms that gained popularity after viral videos exposed the lavish lifestyles of politicians’ families—became rallying cries, highlighting the stark divide between the nation’s political elite and its struggling youth.
Subhana Budhathoki, a content creator and one of the protest’s vocal supporters, summed up the mood: “Gen Z will not stop now. This protest is about more than just social media—it’s about silencing our voices, and we won’t let that happen.”
By Tuesday, September 9, the protests had grown even more intense. Demonstrators set fire to the parliament building, the headquarters of the Nepali Congress Party, and the home of former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba. Several other politicians’ homes were also vandalized as the unrest spread. At least three more people were killed, pushing the death toll to a minimum of 22 since the protests began. Hospitals reported treating gunshot and rubber bullet wounds, with casualty numbers expected to rise.
The government’s response was swift but uncertain. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned on Tuesday, citing the need to “pave the way for a constitutional solution to the massive youth-led protests,” as his office told BBC. However, with no clear successor and a power vacuum at the top, the country’s future leadership remained in question. Some ministers reportedly sought refuge with security forces, while the army was deployed to enforce an indefinite curfew around key government buildings.
Nepal’s army chief, General Ashok Raj Sigdel, issued a public statement warning that “all security institutions, including the Nepal Army, are committed to taking control of the situation.” Yet, he also extended an olive branch, inviting protesters to engage in dialogue to resolve what he called “Nepal’s worst unrest in decades.” The statement left many wondering whether the military would ultimately use force or seek a peaceful compromise. The lack of a central leadership among the protesters further complicated prospects for negotiation.
Meanwhile, the impact of the protests rippled far beyond Nepal’s borders. In West Hartford, Connecticut, members of the Nepali diaspora gathered outside Town Hall for a candlelight vigil on Tuesday night, honoring the lives lost in the clashes. “This isn’t just about the fight against the social media ban,” said Shub Dhakal, a local resident, as reported by FOX61 News. “The primary cause is corruption. Our hearts go to them. We can’t do much being here, but we can be a voice and share in their sorrow.”
Rupesh Parajuli, chief advisor for the Nepalese Association of Connecticut, highlighted the tragedy’s personal toll: “It was a peaceful protest. They were shot dead on their forehead by the government. That is why we are grieving here, thousands of miles away.” He noted that among the victims were students in grades 11 and 12, still wearing their uniforms when killed. For the Connecticut Nepali community, the vigil was about unity and hope. “We could have different political opinions otherwise, but when it comes to this crisis, we all stick together, we cry together. This is what binds us in a time of need,” Parajuli added.
The United Nations Human Rights Office weighed in, calling for a “prompt and transparent investigation” into the shootings and urging Nepal’s government to ensure that any restrictions on social media comply with international human rights obligations. “We urge Nepal’s government to reconsider its restrictions on social media, ensuring any measures comply with international human rights obligations,” the office stated, according to FOX61 News.
Despite the government’s decision to lift the social media ban late Monday night, the protesters’ demands remain unmet. They are calling not just for restored digital freedoms, but for sweeping reforms to root out corruption and improve governance. The movement’s decentralized nature—fueled by social media callouts and youth collectives rather than traditional political parties—has made it difficult for authorities to negotiate or even identify who speaks for the demonstrators.
As the situation remains fluid, analysts warn that unless the government engages meaningfully with the protesters and addresses their grievances, the unrest could escalate further. The involvement of students and civil society groups, combined with widespread public frustration over inequality and lack of accountability, suggests that Nepal may be entering a period of profound political transformation.
For now, both in Nepal and among its diaspora, the hope is that the sacrifices made will not be in vain—and that a new chapter of peace, justice, and opportunity can emerge from the ashes of turmoil.
