Protesters in Kathmandu stormed the Nepalese Parliament on Tuesday, September 9, setting parts of the building ablaze in a dramatic escalation of nationwide unrest. The demonstrations erupted after the government imposed a ban on major social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter), citing non-compliance with new registration rules. Critics, however, have condemned the move as an infringement on free speech and an attempt to suppress dissent.
The unrest quickly turned violent. Security forces responded to the protesters with tear gas, rubber bullets, and live ammunition, resulting in at least 19 deaths and over 100 injuries. Demonstrators also targeted government buildings and the homes of top political leaders, prompting the authorities to impose curfews in Kathmandu and other major cities.
In the wake of the violence, Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli and Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned, while the government lifted the social media ban and announced an investigation into the crackdown. Despite these concessions, protests continue, reflecting deep frustrations among Nepal’s youth over corruption, governance, and digital freedom restrictions, as security forces remain deployed to maintain order.
