20 people killed in Nepal in violent protests against social media ban

KATHMANDU, Sept 8: At least 20 people were killed and hundreds injured in violent protests against corruption and deadly clashes with security forces across Nepal on Monday. Curfew was imposed in several districts and the Army was deployed to restore order. Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned, owning responsibility for the violence.

The agitation was triggered by the Government’s controversial decision to ban 26 major social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and YouTube. The ban, which came into effect on September 4, was part of a new directive requiring all platforms to register with Nepal’s Ministry of Communication and Information Technology. Officials claimed the move was necessary to curb fake news, hate speech, and online fraud.

However, the ban was widely perceived by young Nepalis as a direct attack on freedom of expression. On Monday, tens of thousands of protesters—many in school and college uniforms—flooded the streets of Kathmandu, chanting slogans like “Unban Social Media” and “Shut Down Corruption, Not Voices.”

Organisers of the protests say the protests reflect young people's widespread frustration with the government's perceived lack of action to tackle corruption and boost economic opportunities. carried flags and placards with slogans such as "Shut down corruption and not social media," "Unban social media," and "Youths against corruption" as they marched through Kathmandu.

Arson in Kathmandu

Demonstrators breached police barricades and stormed the Parliament complex, setting fire to vehicles and buildings and clashing with riot police.

Security forces responded with tear gas, water cannons, rubber bullets, and in some cases, live ammunition. The violence was most intense in New Baneshwor, where protesters attempted to enter restricted government zones. Curfews were imposed across key districts, and the Nepali Army was deployed to restore order. Among the dead were 17 individuals in Kathmandu and two in the eastern city of Itahari. Over 300 people were injured, including journalists and police officers. Hospitals across the capital reported treating dozens of critically wounded protesters, many of whom were ferried in by fellow demonstrators on motorcycles.

In a late-night emergency Cabinet meeting, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli announced the lifting of the social media ban, but stopped short of taking responsibility for the violence. Instead, he blamed “infiltrating anarchist forces” for hijacking the protests. “We are not against platforms,” Oli said, “but against lawlessness and arrogance that belittle our nation”.

Home Minister resigns

Tthe fallout has been swift. Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned, and opposition leaders have demanded accountability and reforms.

Former Justice Minister Gobinda Bandi criticized the social media ban as unconstitutional, warning that the Government’s actions risk undermining democratic freedoms.

Nepal is reeling from one of its most violent episodes in recent decades as protests led by the country’s youth dubbed the “Gen Z Rebellion”, escalated.

The unrest has drawn international concern. A joint statement from the embassies of Australia, Finland, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK, and the US expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life and urged all parties to exercise restraint. The United Nations Human Rights Office called for a transparent investigation into the killings and condemned the alleged use of excessive force.

While the ban has been lifted, the deeper grievances—corruption, lack of opportunity, and generational disillusionment—continue to simmer beneath the surface. Whether this marks the beginning of meaningful change or merely a pause in the storm remains to be seen.