Gen Z Protests Rock Nepal After Social Media Ban, Government Imposes Curfew

Kathmandu, Sept 8 – Young people across Nepal, especially from Gen Z, took to the streets on Monday to protest against the government’s ban on social media platforms and alleged corruption. The protests turned tense, leading to clashes with security forces and a curfew in key areas of Kathmandu.

The main protest took place at Maitighar in Kathmandu, where hundreds gathered to express their anger. The rally was organized by a group called ‘Hami Nepal’, which had officially requested permission to hold the protest. Their leader, Sudhan Gurung, said more protests are planned in other parts of the country.

Protesters, many of them students in school uniforms carrying books, used social media before the ban to share march routes and safety tips. The demonstration escalated when some protestors reportedly entered restricted areas near the Federal Parliament, forcing authorities to fire tear gas, water cannons, rubber bullets, and even aerial shots to control the crowd.

As the situation worsened, a curfew was imposed from Baneshwor Chowk to Shankhamul Bridge, covering several central parts of the city. The Nepali Army was deployed to restore order, with officials describing the area as “highly tense.”

The protests were triggered by a recent government decision to block all unregistered social media platforms. On August 25, Nepal’s Cabinet ordered platforms to register under new rules by September 3. When most platforms didn’t comply, the government began shutting them down on September 4.

The blocked platforms include Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, X (formerly Twitter), Snapchat, Reddit, Discord, and more — 26 in total.

Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli defended the ban, saying it’s not about silencing people but about enforcing the law. He claimed that social media companies ignored Nepal’s requests to register and pay taxes. “We are not against platforms, but against arrogance and lawlessness,” he said.