Nepal’s Kathmandu erupted on Monday, September 8, as thousands of mostly Gen Z demonstrators protested against government corruption and the sudden ban on 26 major social media platforms, including Facebook, WhatsApp, X (Twitter), and YouTube.
The movement, which began online, quickly escalated into violent street clashes. Protesters marched from Maitighar Mandala to Parliament, breaking through police barricades. Security forces responded with tear gas, water cannons, and even live fire. The crackdown left at least 16 dead and more than 100 injured.
Curfews were enforced across key cities, and the army was deployed to maintain order.
While Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s government insisted the social media restrictions were meant to protect “national dignity and sovereignty,” young activists denounced them as censorship. Despite internet blackouts, protesters relied on VPNs, TikTok, Discord, and Reddit to organize.
The anger was also fueled by viral images of Nepal’s political “nepo-kids” flaunting luxury lifestyles, which stood in stark contrast to the struggles of ordinary citizens. Protesters said the fight had grown beyond online freedoms—demanding accountability, transparency, and an end to systemic corruption.
