Nepal Unrest Over Social Media Ban and Corruption Leaves 19 Dead, 100 Injured

Kathmandu, Sept 2025 : At least 19 people were killed and more than 100 injured in Nepal on Monday as nationwide protests over a government-imposed social media shutdown and rampant corruption turned violent. Police fired rubber bullets, tear gas, and used batons to disperse demonstrators, many of them young students, as clashes spread from the capital to several cities across the country.

Authorities said unrest began in Kathmandu when protesters stormed the barricades outside parliament. Some demonstrators set fire to an ambulance, hurled stones and objects at security personnel, and attempted to enter the legislature complex. “The police have been firing indiscriminately,” one protester said. “A bullet missed me but struck my friend who was standing just behind me. He was hit in the hand.”

Police officer Shekhar Khanal confirmed that more than 100 people were receiving treatment, including at least 28 policemen. Motorcycle riders were seen rushing the wounded to hospitals as clashes escalated through the afternoon.

Two additional deaths were reported in Itahari, a city in eastern Nepal, after protests there turned violent.

Emergency Meeting Amid Worsening Violence

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli convened an emergency cabinet meeting late on Monday to assess the growing unrest. Earlier in the day, thousands of young people, many dressed in school and college uniforms, had marched through Kathmandu carrying national flags and placards. Slogans such as “Shut down corruption, not social media,” and “Unban social media” echoed through the streets.

Organisers described the demonstrations as a “Gen Z protest,” claiming it reflected the frustration of Nepal’s youth with the government’s inability to tackle corruption or create meaningful economic opportunities. “This is the protest of the new generation in Nepal,” one participant declared.

The protests soon spread to Biratnagar, Bharatpur, and Pokhara, with crowds demanding the reversal of the controversial ban on Facebook and other platforms.

Social Media Ban Sparks Anger

Nepal’s government last week blocked access to major social media platforms, citing non-compliance with registration requirements and concerns about misuse. Officials said the ban aimed to combat false accounts used for hate speech, fraud, and misinformation. But critics argue the move has stifled free expression in a country where more than 90% of the 30 million population are internet users.

The shutdown, combined with longstanding grievances over corruption and unemployment, triggered widespread anger. “Young people feel unheard and ignored,” said Rameshwore Khanal, a former finance secretary. “While job creation is below expectations, the bigger frustration comes from questionable appointments and the government’s failure to curb corruption.”

Riot Control and Curfew

Muktiram Rijal, a spokesperson for the Kathmandu district office, said police were authorised to use water cannons, batons, and rubber bullets, while army personnel were deployed around parliament to reinforce law enforcement.

A curfew was imposed around the Singha Durbar government complex, which houses the prime minister’s office and several ministries, and was extended until 10 p.m. local time (1615 GMT). Violence subsided later in the evening, though hundreds of protesters remained outside parliament, defying restrictions.

Deep-Rooted Concerns

Corruption has long been a contentious issue in Nepal, with critics accusing successive governments of inaction. The Oli administration, in particular, has faced growing discontent over its perceived failure to address graft, stimulate the economy, or create adequate opportunities for young people. Every year, thousands of Nepali youths seek jobs and education abroad due to limited prospects at home.

The social media ban has only deepened mistrust. Globally, governments are moving to tighten oversight of Big Tech amid concerns over misinformation, online harm, and national security. But critics in Nepal argue the timing and scope of the ban reveal a broader attempt to stifle dissent.

A Nation at a Crossroads

Analysts say the latest unrest highlights a dangerous convergence of economic disillusionment, political frustration, and curbs on free expression. For Nepal’s young generation — the backbone of the protests — the events have become a rallying cry for greater accountability and reform.

As night fell over Kathmandu, the streets bore the scars of the day’s clashes: shattered barricades, burnt vehicles, and the lingering smoke of tear gas. Yet the determination of protesters suggested that Monday’s violence may only be the beginning of a longer standoff between Nepal’s restless youth and a government struggling to regain their trust.

Team Maverick.