In Depth: How a Social Media Ban Sparked Nepal’s ‘Gen Z’ Revolution

On September 9, Nepal’s parliament building became the focal point of a national crisis when it was set on fire by demonstrators, mostly young people, angry at the government’s sudden ban of major social media platforms. The scene in Kathmandu was marked by protesters burning an effigy of the prime minister and celebrating as government power quickly unraveled. This widespread public unrest led to the collapse of KP Sharma Oli’s government within hours. The military swiftly intervened to restore order, appointing an interim prime minister selected via social media, as Nepal faced its most severe political upheaval in years. [para. 1][para. 2]

The immediate cause of the unrest was the abrupt decision on September 4 to block over 20 social media platforms including YouTube, WhatsApp, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and X. Officially, the ban was due to these platforms’ failure to comply with new registration requirements, but only TikTok and Viber, which had already registered, remained accessible. Critics argued that the ban not only stifled communication at home but also jeopardized connections to the Nepali diaspora, which comprises 7.5% of Nepal’s population and is a crucial source of remittances for the country. The ban also threatened the viability of domestic businesses, heavily reliant on social media for marketing and communications, especially in the tourism sector. As digital protests surged, physical demonstrations erupted across cities nationwide, quickly escalating into violent confrontations. [para. 4][para. 5][para. 6][para. 7][para. 8][para. 9][para. 10]

On September 8, mass protests saw tens of thousands rally at Kathmandu’s parliament complex. Riot police were overwhelmed, resulting in deadly clashes as police opened fire, killing at least 17 protesters and injuring over 400. Prominent leaders’ homes, including those of the Nepali Congress and the president, were attacked and torched. The government declared a curfew and eventually reversed the social media ban, but this failed to quell the anger. By the next day, violence intensified as protesters stormed and burned the parliament building as well as other government offices and party headquarters, including the historic Singha Durbar complex. An estimated 1,700 rooms and irreplaceable archives were destroyed; 22 people had died by September 9. Prime Minister Oli resigned and sought a political solution, while the military assumed control, restoring a tense calm. [para. 12][para. 13][para. 14][para. 15][para. 16][para. 17][para. 18][para. 19][para. 20][para. 21][para. 22][para. 23][para. 24]

The root causes of these “Gen Z protests” stretch far beyond the social media ban. For weeks prior, social media posts comparing the luxurious lives of political elites’ children (#nepokids/#nepobabies) with the struggles of ordinary Nepalis had gone viral, fueling anger over inequality. More than 25% of Nepal’s population lives below the poverty line, youth unemployment is near 20%, and widespread corruption prevails. Political instability has plagued Nepal since it became a republic in 2008, cycling through 14 governments in under two decades, with none lasting a full term. Gen Z protesters demand more capable youth leadership, an end to corruption, and greater government accountability. The new interim prime minister, Sushila Karki, a former chief justice known for her anti-corruption stance, was chosen in a virtual poll, and parliament was dissolved pending new elections in March 2026. [para. 25][para. 26][para. 27][para. 28][para. 29][para. 30][para. 31][para. 32][para. 33][para. 34][para. 35][para. 36][para. 37][para. 38][para. 39][para. 40]