On September 8, 2025, Nepal’s streets became a battleground for a youth-led uprising that has been wrongly framed by some as merely a protest against a social media ban. While the government’s decision to block 26 social media platforms on September 4 sparked outrage, the heart of the Gen-Z Revolution lies in a deeper, more pervasive issue: systemic corruption that has plagued Nepal for decades. Thousands of young Nepalis, many in their school and college uniforms, took to the streets of Kathmandu and beyond, chanting “Shut down corruption, not social media.” This blog delves into the true roots of the protests, the tragic events of the day, and why this movement marks a turning point for Nepal’s future.
Corruption: The Real Catalyst
The social media ban, which targeted platforms like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and YouTube for failing to register with the government, was merely the final straw for Nepal’s Gen-Z. The ban, enacted under the guise of curbing misinformation and fraud, was perceived as an attempt to silence dissent and control the digital space where young people organize and voice their frustrations. But as 24-year-old student Yujan Rajbhandari told AFP, “We were triggered by the social media ban, but that is not the only reason we are gathered here. We are protesting against corruption that has been institutionalized in Nepal.”
Corruption in Nepal is deeply entrenched, with high-profile scandals fueling public anger. For instance, the 2017 Airbus deal that cost Nepal Airlines $10.4 million due to corrupt practices remains a sore point. The lavish lifestyles of politicians’ children, showcased on platforms like TikTok through viral “Nepo Kid” and “Nepo Babies” campaigns, stand in stark contrast to the struggles of ordinary Nepalis, where the per capita income is just $1,300 a year. Videos contrasting elite luxury with the hardships of migrant workers—who contribute 33% of Nepal’s GDP through remittances—have amplified resentment. As one placard poignantly read, “The leaders’ children return from abroad with Gucci bags, the people’s children in coffins.”
Economic inequality and youth unemployment, hovering around 19.2% for those aged 15–29, have pushed thousands of young Nepalis to seek work abroad, often in dangerous conditions, such as serving as mercenaries in conflicts like the Ukraine-Russia war. The lack of accountability, coupled with a government accused of favoring cronyism and nepotism, has left Gen-Z feeling robbed of their future. As Sabana Budathoki told the BBC, “Rather than [the] social media ban, I think everyone’s focus is on corruption. We want our country back.”
The Protests: A Cry for Accountability
The protests, organized by the youth group Hami Nepal, began at 9 a.m. on September 8 at Kathmandu’s Maitighar Mandala, a symbolic hub for dissent. Thousands of young people, many born between 1995 and 2010, gathered with placards reading “Independent voice is our right” and “Where has the taxpayers’ money gone?” The movement, described as the “Gen-Z Revolution,” was explicitly non-political, with organizers warning political parties against co-opting their cause. Protests spread to cities like Pokhara, Butwal, Biratnagar, and Damak, reflecting nationwide frustration.
Tensions escalated when demonstrators in Kathmandu marched toward the federal parliament in New Baneshwar, breaching barricades and entering restricted zones. Some set fire to an ambulance and vandalized a parliament gate, prompting a heavy-handed response from security forces. Police used tear gas, water cannons, rubber bullets, and live ammunition, resulting in at least 19 deaths—17 in Kathmandu and two in Itahari—and over 250 injuries. Hospitals like the National Trauma Centre and Civil Hospital reported critical cases, with gunshot wounds to the head and chest. The violence, described as “state brutality” by public intellectual Yadav Devkota, was unprecedented in scale, surpassing even the 2006 protests that ended Nepal’s monarchy.
A Nation in Crisis: Fallout and Response
The deadly crackdown drew widespread condemnation. Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned on moral grounds during a cabinet meeting, citing the loss of life. Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, however, defended the social media ban, framing it as a matter of national sovereignty, even as he called an emergency cabinet meeting to address the unrest. The government announced a 15-day inquiry committee to investigate the protests, but skepticism remains about its impartiality.
Amnesty International and the UN Human Rights Office condemned the “unlawful use of lethal and less-lethal force,” urging de-escalation and respect for the right to peaceful protest. Nepal’s National Human Rights Commission echoed these calls, emphasizing constitutional guarantees of dissent. Meanwhile, curfews were imposed in Kathmandu and other cities, and the Nepal Army was deployed to enforce order. Along the India-Nepal border, India’s Sashastra Seema Bal heightened vigilance as the unrest raised regional concerns.
The protests garnered support from prominent figures, including Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah and celebrities like actors Madan Krishna Shrestha and Hari Bansha Acharya, who praised the youth for demanding accountability. Acharya highlighted the failure of public infrastructure, like poorly built roads, as a symptom of systemic corruption, noting that Gen-Z is not just thinking but asking, “Why did it collapse? How? Who is accountable?”
A Generational Awakening
The Gen-Z Revolution is not just about a single policy but a broader demand for systemic change. Nepal’s youth, digital natives who grew up with global connectivity, are inspired by movements in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, where public outrage toppled corrupt governments in 2022 and 2024. Unlike past generations, Gen-Z is using social media to creatively frame corruption, contrasting elite privilege with the struggles of ordinary citizens. Sociologist Dipesh Ghimire called this a “potent bugle call against the ruling system.”
The movement’s independence from political parties and its focus on transparency, accountability, and civil liberties have resonated widely. As Khemraj Kattel wrote in The Times of Israel, “This is not just a protest but the beginning of nation-building.” The Nepali diaspora, particularly in Israel, has expressed solidarity, seeing the protests as a fight against the corruption and incompetence that drive migration.
Looking Forward: A Test for Nepal’s Future
As Nepal grapples with the aftermath of September 8, the government faces intense pressure to address corruption and reconsider the social media ban, with reports suggesting it may be lifted. However, the loss of 19 lives and the violent response have deepened public distrust, particularly among the youth, who see themselves as the vanguard of change. As 20-year-old protester Ikshama Tumrok told AFP, “We want to see change. Others have endured this, but it has to end with our generation.”
The Gen-Z Revolution has exposed the fault lines of Nepal’s political and economic systems. Whether it leads to meaningful reform or further repression will depend on the government’s response and the movement’s ability to sustain its momentum. For now, Nepal’s youth have made one thing clear: they are no longer willing to tolerate a system that prioritizes privilege over justice. The world is watching, and the future of Nepal hangs in the balance.