Gen-Z Revolution in Nepal

(Ban on Social Media in Nepal)

● On September 4, 2025 Nepal's government imposed an unprecedented ban on 26 major social media platforms including Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube and X.

● The ban on social media came after Nepal’s government gave social media firms a seven day deadline to register under new regulations, including to establish a point of contact and designate resident grievance and compliance officers. But these apps failed to register on time.

● For young people these digital platforms are not just entertainment apps, they are lifelines for education, livelihood, expression and civic engagement.

● This sudden ban angered thousands of young Nepalis (collectively known as “Gen Z”). They felt their freedom of expression was being taken away. Students and youth groups gathered on the streets of Kathmandu and other cities wearing school uniforms and holding books, to show that this was a fight for their future.

● The protesters shouted slogans like: “Shut down corruption, not social media!” and “Wake up youth, wake up Gen Z”.

● The organizers of the protest say the protests which spread across the country are not only about the social media ban but are also a reflection of generational frustration at the government’s perceived lack of action to tackle corruption and boost economic opportunities. The unemployment rate for youth aged 15-24 in Nepal was 20.8% in 2024, according to the World Bank.

● On September 8, Nepal's Home Minister resigned along with the ministers for Agriculture, Health and Population, Water and Youth and Sports in protest against the government's handling of the deadly demonstrations.

● The protestors set fire to Nepal's Parliament and vandalised the private residences of both the Prime Minister and the President. They attacked Singha Durbar, where the houses of ministers and the Parliament are located.

● On September 9, Nepal’s President Ram Chandra Poudel and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned from their post amid deadly protests.

● The Nepalese Army is likely to take charge of the country. Chief of Army Staff Ashok Raj Sigdel is likely to take control of Nepal.

● Nepal has faced persistent political instability over the last two decades, with the office of the Prime Minister changing hands more than fifteen times since 2005.

● Nepal is our neighboring country and political instability in Nepal is a significant concern for India. The guiding principle of the Modi government’s foreign policy, “Neighbourhood First,” underscores the importance of maintaining stable relations with neighboring countries. Any instability in Nepal affects India’s political, social, economic, security and military interests in the region.