At least 30 individuals lost their lives, and hundreds sustained injuries during the “Gen Z” protests in Nepal on Monday, September 8, 2025. Thousands of demonstrators clashed with authorities over a government-implemented social media ban and broader concerns about corruption. Reports indicate two more protesters were killed in Kalimati, Kathmandu, increasing the previously reported death toll from 19 to 22.
The deadly confrontations occurred as tens of thousands of young protesters, many donning school uniforms and identifying as “Gen Z,” attempted to breach the parliament building in Kathmandu. Police responded with live rounds, rubber bullets, tear gas, water cannons, and batons when demonstrators broke through barricades.
Police spokesman Shekhar Khanal initially reported that 17 people were shot dead in Kathmandu, with two additional fatalities in the eastern city of Itahari. Two more deaths in Kalimati raised the total to 22. Official figures cite over 100 injuries, though estimates range from 347 official to 422 unofficial counts, suggesting significantly higher numbers.
The protests started due to the government’s decision to block 26 social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn, Reddit, Signal, and Snapchat, for failing to register with authorities by a specified deadline. Only a few platforms like TikTok and Viber complied and remained in operation.
Following emergency consultations, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned late Monday, accepting “moral responsibility” for the violence. Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli also stepped down the subsequent day—Tuesday, September 9, 2025—amid rising public anger.
Hospitals, including the National Trauma Center, treated many injured—some with critical gunshot wounds to the head and chest—as emergency vehicles transported victims through tear gas-filled streets, while volunteers lined up to donate blood.
The uprising quickly spread to other major cities, including Biratnagar, Bharatpur, Pokhara, Birgunj, Bhairahawa, Butwal, Itahari, and Damak, where protesters carried placards reading “Unban social media” and “Shut down corruption, not social media,” reflecting deep frustration over corruption, nepotism, and lack of economic opportunities.
The government imposed curfews in key cities, particularly around the parliament, presidential residence, and government offices. Defying a citywide curfew, demonstrators targeted government offices and the homes of politicians as protests over censorship and economic hardship entered their second day. Protesters managed to breach and set fire to several vehicles on the parliament grounds.
Authorities defended the social media restrictions as measures to combat fraud, crime, misinformation, and hate speech; platforms were required to register, appoint local compliance officers, and maintain contact points—but most did not comply.
The violent crackdown drew strong international backlash. Amnesty International condemned the unlawful use of lethal force, while the United Nations demanded a prompt and transparent investigation. UN human rights spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani expressed deep shock at the deaths and injuries.
The Civil Service Hospital’s staff described unprecedented chaos, as tear gas infiltrated treatment areas and disrupted care.
Prime Minister Oli defended the ban, stating national sovereignty took precedence over individual job concerns and questioning the legality of defying the regulations.
On Tuesday, the government officially lifted the social media ban, as viral “Nepo-Kid” videos—juxtaposing average citizens with the luxurious lifestyles of politicians’ children—fanned public rage.
The protests marked some of the worst civil unrest in decades. They underscored the growing influence of youth-led activism in demanding accountability and systemic change in a country that has seen 14 different governments since abolishing the monarchy in 2008.
Prior warnings had been raised by the press and rights groups. The Committee to Protect Journalists warned that the ban endangered press freedom, and Human Rights Watch emphasized that the protests represented deep-seated frustration with corruption and governance, not just enforcement issues.
Nepal’s army announced it would deploy soldiers to help restore calm after the second day of unrest. The violence persisted despite the resignation of the prime minister and the lifting of the social media bans that had sparked the turmoil.
In Kathmandu, members of the political elite were directly targeted, with the homes of several former prime ministers set ablaze during the unrest.
Nepal’s top security leaders, including the army chief, released a joint statement urging the public to remain calm and calling on political parties to seek a peaceful resolution to the crisis. However, with Mr. Oli and several other senior officials out of office, it was uncertain who was actually leading the country — and by late Tuesday, the army announced it would take control.
In its message, the military appealed to demonstrators to stop looting and setting fires, stating its goal was to reestablish law and order.
