Kathmandu, Sept 8: At least 14 people were killed and many more injured in Nepal’s capital on Monday after security forces clamped down on massive youth-led protests against the government’s ban on 26 social media platforms.

What happened

Thousands of young protesters—many in school uniforms—gathered outside Parliament in Kathmandu, opposing the ban on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, X, and YouTube. Some managed to enter the Parliament complex, after which police resorted to baton charges and force.

Curfew has now been imposed across large parts of Kathmandu.

The protests, widely described as Nepal’s first Gen Z uprising, were organised by a collective named Hami Nepal. Organisers had urged political parties and their youth wings to stay away, emphasising it was a people’s movement against censorship and corruption.

Why the social media ban?

Last week, Nepal banned 26 platforms for failing to comply with rules requiring:

  • Local registration with the government
  • Appointment of grievance officers
  • Commitment to remove flagged posts

Platforms still accessible include TikTok, Viber, WeTalk, Nimbuzz, and Poppo Live, which had agreed to the government’s terms.

Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli defended the ban, saying companies were “making money in Nepal without following the law.” The government has stated platforms can resume once they comply.

Critics, however, called it a move to curb free speech, muzzle dissent, and hurt small businesses that rely heavily on social media. Expats also expressed concern, as social media remains their main link with families back home.

Deeper frustrations among youth

While the ban was the immediate trigger, experts say the protests reflect larger frustrations:

  • Nepal’s youth are disillusioned with the same 70+ leaders cycling through power since 2008.
  • Unemployment is high; 82% of the workforce is informal, per World Bank data.
  • Reliance on remittances has left young Nepalis seeking work abroad instead of at home.
  • Corruption allegations have tainted almost every senior political leader.

Among those supporting the protests is Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a 30-something former rapper whose rise to politics was fuelled by social media.

Corruption scandals clouding leaders

  • K P Oli: Facing contempt charges for violating a Supreme Court order on land use.
  • Prachanda: Allegedly diverted billions meant for ex-Maoist combatants.
  • Sher Bahadur Deuba: Accused of taking illegal commissions in aircraft purchases; his wife Arzu Rana Deuba faces allegations in a refugee scam.
  • Madhav Nepal, Baburam Bhattarai, Khil Raj Regmi: Linked to land allocation scams.

The road ahead

The protests have underlined a generational shift in Nepal’s politics, with Gen Z demanding accountability, transparency, and freedom of expression. A Bill to further regulate social media is expected in Parliament soon, likely intensifying tensions.