Nepal Ends Social Media Ban Amid Deadly Anti-Corruption Protests

The Nepalese government has decided to revoke the nationwide social media blackout following a wave of violent demonstrations that erupted against corruption and state policies.

These protests broke out on September 8, 2025, with the capital city of Kathmandu becoming the central hub of agitation before unrest gradually extended to other towns and districts.

Authorities had earlier enforced a sweeping ban around September 4, 2025, cutting off citizens’ access to 26 leading digital platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, X, YouTube, LinkedIn, Reddit, Signal, and Snapchat.

The ban acted as a trigger, sparking what became known as the “Gen Z protests,” since young students and activists spearheaded the movement against entrenched corruption, poor governance, and declining economic opportunities.

Kathmandu’s parliamentary complex and the symbolic Maitighar Mandala area witnessed the largest crowds, while disturbances were also reported from Itahari, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Birgunj, Bhairahawa, Butwal, Pokhara, and Damak.

Security forces deployed heavy measures, including tear gas, rubber bullets, and in some instances live ammunition, which resulted in a grim toll of 19 deaths, 17 of them in Kathmandu and 2 in Itahari.

Casualty figures varied, but reliable sources noted that between 100 and 300 individuals were left injured, with hospitals struggling to handle the sudden influx of wounded demonstrators.

To regain control, the administration declared a strict indefinite curfew in the capital and temporary restrictions in other affected regions, aiming to prevent further escalation.

On September 9, 2025, the authorities officially lifted the social media ban, thereby restoring online connectivity across the country after days of blackout.

The violent outcome compelled Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak to step down, citing moral accountability for the deaths and injuries sustained during the crackdown.

Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli expressed sorrow over the tragedy, pledged financial compensation for the families of the deceased, guaranteed medical support for the injured, and announced the creation of a fact-finding commission tasked with submitting its report within 15 days.

The international community also reacted strongly, with the United Nations Human Rights Office voicing serious concern about the apparent use of disproportionate force by law enforcement. Amnesty International similarly denounced the bloodshed and demanded accountability from the Nepalese authorities.

QUESTIONS:

We do appreciate if you would answer the following question/s with reference of question number/s in the comments section:

Q. No. 1 What specific social media posts or hashtags triggered the protests in Nepal?

Q. No. 2 Were there any international governments or organizations directly involved in mediating the situation?

Q. No. 3 How did local businesses and the economy react to the social media ban and subsequent protests?

Q. No. 4 What were the exact demands of the protest leaders beyond lifting the social media ban?

Q. No. 5 Were any foreign nationals or journalists affected or targeted during the unrest?

Q. No. 6 What long-term policy changes does the Nepalese government plan to prevent similar protests?

Q. No. 7 How did rural areas of Nepal respond compared to major cities like Kathmandu?

Q. No. 8 Were there any legal consequences for individuals involved in the violent clashes?

Q. No. 9 What role did traditional media coverage play in fueling or calming the protests?

Q. No. 10 How did social media users continue organizing or communicating during the blackout?

 

BACKGROUND:

The recent unrest in Nepal, which led to the lifting of the social media ban, stems from a combination of political, social, and economic factors that have been building over time. The government had imposed restrictions on more than two dozen popular social media platforms, citing non-compliance with new regulations that required local registration and the appointment of grievance officers, but the move was widely perceived as an attempt to suppress public dissent and limit freedom of expression. Young people, particularly members of Gen Z, viewed the ban as a direct attack on their ability to organize, communicate, and voice concerns about pervasive corruption, lack of transparency, and stagnating economic opportunities. The protests were fueled by long-standing frustration over government inefficiency, nepotism, and opaque decision-making processes, which left many citizens feeling marginalized and powerless. Social media had become an essential tool for youth activism, information sharing, and mobilization, so its sudden restriction acted as a catalyst, transforming simmering discontent into large-scale demonstrations. The convergence of these political grievances, economic frustrations, and the symbolic significance of the social media ban created an environment ripe for mass mobilization, ultimately resulting in widespread unrest, violent clashes with security forces, and urgent government action to restore connectivity and order.

 

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