Picture : Video grab/ You Tube
Starting Afghanistan, Srilanka, Bangladesh and now Nepal, India’s neighbouring countries are facing worst of the civilian crisis than ever before. The political establishments have been ripped apart, economies in shambles and unemployment, one of the key reasons for the upheavals, is beyond anyone’s calculation! The result as seen earlier and now in Nepal is to revolt. Thousands of Nepal’s youth hit the streets in unprecedented protests following a sweeping government ban on major social media platforms. The unrest, which began with peaceful demonstrations, turned violent, leaving at least 19 dead and over 400 injured. Authorities imposed curfews in Kathmandu and other cities after protesters breached the Parliament premises and targeted the homes of politicians.
Nepal Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned as Gen Z-led protests escalated in Kathmandu and other parts of the country for a second consecutive day. His whereabouts still remain unknown.
Picture : ANI /X
The immediate spark was the government’s decision to block 26 social media platforms, including Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, X, and YouTube, after they failed to comply with a deadline to register locally, appoint grievance handlers, and remove flagged content. Issuing a public notice, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology had said it “has ordered the Nepal Telecommunication Authority to make inactive all non-registered social media sites until they are registered.”
The protests, widely referred to as the “Gen Z protests,” have been driven largely by young Nepalis under the age of 30, many of whom gathered in school or college uniforms. Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, an independent politician, who won the mayoral elections through his active social media campaign has been vocal in supporting the protests. Alongside opposition to the social media ban, the protesters also raised concerns about corruption, nepotism and lack of accountability in governance, frequently using the phrase “nepo babies” to criticise perceived privilege within the political establishment.
The protest began on September 8, with thousands gathering around Maitighar, a major intersection near the iconic Mandala monument in Kathmandu. Initially peaceful, the crowd turned chaotic as some participants, including alleged motorcycle-riding groups, broke through barricades to storm the Parliament complex. The capital’s luxury 5- star Hotel Hilton was gutted in flames.
PIcture : Video grab/ANI X
Security forces responded with tear gas, water cannons, and rubber bullets. Protesters reportedly retaliated with sticks and bottles. Tragically, at least 19 people died, many succumbing to injuries sustained during the clashes. In response, curfew was imposed in areas around New Baneshwor, including the Parliament grounds and residences of the President and Vice President. Demonstrators torched major government buildings, including the Supreme Court, Parliament, and Singha Durbar, the seat of the government.
Beyond the social media ban, the protests also reflected wider grievances among Nepal’s youth. Demonstrators highlighted corruption cases involving senior politicians, including a 2017 Airbus purchase deal that led to losses for the state airline and subsequent convictions following investigations by the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA). The protests also highlighted concerns over limited employment opportunities, economic dependence on remittances, and perceptions of inequality, which have fuelled dissatisfaction among youth.
With Oli’s whereabouts still unknown, and no clear structural leadership among the Gen-Z protesters, the next course of action remains unclear with Nepal Army Chief Gen. Ashok Sigdel discussing possible next steps. Meanwhile, name of former Chief Justice Sushila Karki was proposed to lead the interim government. But no consensus could be formed. Karki is widely seen as a clean and upright figure who could have broad public acceptance.
With no immediate solution in sight, Nepal’s future hangs in uncertainity. A nation fighting natural calamities like earthquakes and now a political turmoil, Nepal stands on the crossroads of survival.
