the curfew orders in Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 9, 2025. | Photo Credit: AP

Thousands of Nepal’s youth hit the streets in unprecedented protests on Monday (September 8, 2025) following a sweeping government ban on major social media platforms. The unrest, which began with peaceful demonstrations, turned violent, leaving at least 19 dead and over 400 injured. Authorities imposed curfews in Kathmandu and other cities after protesters breached the Parliament premises and targetted the homes of politicians.

Nepal Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned on Tuesday as Gen Z-led protests escalated in Kathmandu and other parts of the country for a second consecutive day. Mr. Oli’s secretariat confirmed his resignation.

What triggered the protests?

The immediate spark was the government’s decision on September 4 to block 26 social media platforms, including Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, X, and YouTube, after they failed to comply with a deadline to register locally, appoint grievance handlers, and remove flagged content. Issuing a public notice, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology had said it “has ordered the Nepal Telecommunication Authority to make inactive all non-registered social media sites until they are registered.”

Who are the protesters and what are they demanding?

The protests, widely referred to as the “Gen Z protests,” have been driven largely by young Nepalis under the age of 30, many of whom gathered in school or college uniforms. Demonstrations were not formally aligned with political parties and were reportedly coordinated by Hami Nepal, a youth-focused non-profit established in 2015. Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, an independent politician, who won the mayoral elections through his active social media campaign has been vocal in supporting the protests.

Alongside opposition to the social media ban, the protesters also raised concerns about corruption, nepotism and lack of accountability in governance, frequently using the phrase “nepo babies” to criticise perceived privilege within the political establishment.

What is the government’s position and what responses have followed?

The protests compelled an emergency cabinet meeting, after which the government revoked the social media ban, restoring access to all affected platforms. Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli expressed regret over the bloodshed.  A statement released by Mr. Oli defended the social media ban and blamed “infiltrators” for the violence. He also expressed sorrow over the deaths during the protests. An investigation panel has been ordered to report within 15 days on the causes and preventive measures.