19 Killed in ‘Gen Z’ Protests in Nepal Against Social Media Ban

At least 19 people were killed in violent protests in Nepal on Monday. Authorities reported that police in the capital resorted to tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse demonstrators attempting to storm the parliament building in protest against the government’s social media restrictions and corruption.

A local official stated that some young protesters broke through barricades at the parliament complex in Kathmandu, set an ambulance on fire, and pelted stones at riot police deployed for security.

One protester told news agency ANI, “The police are firing indiscriminately. They opened fire — it didn’t hit me, but a friend standing behind me was shot in the hand.”

Police officer Shekhar Khanal told Reuters that over 100 people, including 28 policemen, were receiving treatment for injuries. Protesters were seen transporting the wounded to hospitals by motorcycle.

In the eastern city of Itahari, police confirmed that two more people died as protests turned violent.

Following the unrest sparked by thousands of young protesters—many clad in school or college uniforms—Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli convened an emergency cabinet meeting to address the situation.

Many protesters carried flags and placards bearing slogans such as “Stop corruption, not social media,” “Lift the ban on social media,” and “Youth against corruption.”

Organizers across cities in the Himalayan nation described the protests as a “Gen Z movement,” saying they reflect widespread frustration among young people over government inaction on corruption and economic opportunities.

“This is a protest of Nepal’s new generation,” another protester told ANI.

The government’s decision last week to block access to several social media platforms, including Facebook, further fueled anger among the youth. Nearly 90% of Nepal’s 30 million population uses the internet.

Authorities explained that the ban was imposed after platforms failed to register with the administration and address misuse, including hate speech, the spread of fake news, and fraudulent activities involving fake accounts.

Lathi and Rubber Bullets Used

Muktiram Rizal, spokesperson for the Kathmandu district office, told Reuters that police were ordered to use water cannons, batons, and rubber bullets to control the crowd, while the army was deployed to support law enforcement near the parliament area.

A curfew, effective until 10 p.m. local time (1615 GMT), was extended to the Singh Durbar area, which houses the Prime Minister’s office and other government buildings.

By evening, the violence had subsided, though protesters remained near the parliament complex.

Similar protests were reported in southern cities such as Biratnagar and Bharatpur, as well as in Pokhara in western Nepal.

Corruption is widely perceived as rampant in Nepal, and critics accuse the Oli government of failing to fulfill promises to tackle corruption and resolve long-standing economic challenges.

Thousands of young Nepalis migrate abroad annually for education and employment.

Rameshwar Khanal, former finance secretary, noted that while job creation has not met expectations, public anger stems from dissatisfaction with government appointments and the administration’s inability to eliminate corruption.

The social media ban comes at a time when governments worldwide are stepping up regulation of social media and Big Tech amid growing concerns over misinformation, data privacy, online harm, and national security.

Critics argue that many of these measures risk stifling freedom of expression, while regulators maintain that stricter oversight is necessary to safeguard users and preserve social order.