Monday, September 8, 2025 - At least 14 people have been killed in Nepal as mass demonstrations against a government-imposed social media ban erupted into violent clashes with police.
Thousands of young protesters, many from Generation Z,
poured onto the streets of Kathmandu after authorities blocked 26 platforms,
including Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Demonstrators carrying
the national flag gathered near parliament, chanting, “Stop the ban on social
media, stop corruption not social media.”
What began as peaceful rallies quickly escalated into deadly
confrontations. Witnesses reported that police opened fire on crowds attempting
to storm the parliament building, while security forces also deployed water
cannons, batons, and rubber bullets to disperse protesters.
Nepal’s Minister for Communication, Prithvi Subba, confirmed
to the BBC that officers used force to contain the unrest. Authorities have
since imposed a curfew across parts of Kathmandu in an attempt to restore
order.
The government introduced the sweeping ban after social
media companies failed to comply with a registration deadline. Officials
maintain that regulation is necessary to curb fake news and online fraud, but
critics say the measure undermines free speech and disproportionately targets
the country’s youth.
The unrest has been dubbed a “Gen Z protest,” as younger
Nepalis lead the charge against what they see as censorship and government
overreach. Tensions remain high as police and demonstrators face off, with
fears of further casualties if the standoff continues.
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