Nepal Protest: Nepal’s capital Kathmandu is boiling with unrest as protests have claimed at least 19 lives so far. A massive demonstration led by Generation Z, erupted in Kathmandu on Monday. The protests are primarily against government corruption and the recent ban on several social media platforms. On Monday, September 8, the protestors vandalised the parliament gate and fired dozens of rounds. Several people have been injured and more casualties are feared.
#WATCH | Nepal | People in Kathmandu stage a massive protest against the government over alleged corruption and the recent ban on social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and others.
---Advertisement---At least 18 people have died and more than 250 people have been injured… pic.twitter.com/9pO8yj2e1h
— ANI (@ANI) September 8, 2025
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Curfew Imposed
As the protests turned violent, authorities imposed curfew across key parts of the capital from 12:30 pm to 10 pm. The Kathmandu district administration office (DAO) has extended curfew to cover the residences of the president, prime minister, and vice-president and Singha Durbar. It also includes the President’s residence, Shital Niwas area, Maharajgunj, the vice-president’s residence in Lainchaur, all sides of Singha Durbar, the prime minister’s residence in Baluwatar, and neighbouring areas.
#WATCH | Nepal | Protestors vandalise the Parliament gate as the protest turned violent in Kathmandu, as people staged a massive protest against the ban on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and other social media sites, leading to clashes between police and protesters pic.twitter.com/dkh9Mg7BGc
— ANI (@ANI) September 8, 2025
Nepal Protest: What Led To The Agitation?
The march which was initially peaceful turned violent when protesters broke through barricades and entered restricted zones near Parliament. Police responded with water cannons, teargas, and rubber bullets after demonstrators threw tree branches and water bottles and shouted anti-government slogans. Some protesters reportedly managed to enter the Parliament compound, intensifying the situation. Nepal Army has also been deployed to control the situation.
Why Have Gen Z Taken To Kathmandu Streets?
These protests came in the wake of Nepal government’s decision to ban 26 unregistered social media platforms, which came into effect on September 4. The ban has been imposed on apps such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube and Snapchat. The move sparked public outrage, especially among youth, who have accused the government of suppressing free expression while failing to address deep corruption rooted in the government. They have called government’s ban on social media apps as violation of their freedom of speech and right to expression. Parties like CPN-UML, Nepali Congress have been targeted for violating human rights in the country. They have also alleged misappropriation of powers.
A protestor said, “We were planning to hold a peaceful protest, but as we advanced further, we could see the violence by the police. The police are firing on the people, which is against the essence of peaceful protest. Those who are sitting in power cannot impose their power on us. Anti-corruption protests are being suppressed, which is against the freedom of speech and the right to expression. The Police have been firing at protestors.”
Another protestor told ANI, “This is the protest by the new generation in Nepal. A new slavery system has been introduced in the nation. Nepali youth’s age is being sold, and high post officials are involved in misappropriation of powers. Human rights are being violated by the major three political parties: CPN-UML, the radical nationalist party; Nepali Congress, which has been supporting from the background; and Maoist Center, which has also remained silent over the issue. They also had banned TikTok at the time.”
Kathmandu, Nepal: A protester says, "We were planning to hold a peaceful protest, but as we advanced further, we could see the violence by the police. The police are firing on the people, which is against the essence of peaceful protest. Those who are sitting in power cannot… https://t.co/L9h2XfWHMb pic.twitter.com/RCIXYSr8fE
— ANI (@ANI) September 8, 2025
Meanwhile, Nepal police stated, “Nine people have lost their lives as protest turned violent in Kathmandu as people staged a massive protest against the ban on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and other social media sites, leading to clashes between police and protesters.”
Apart from Kathmandu, the youth staged protest in Pokhara, Butwal, Chitwan, Nepalgunj, and Biratnagar.
Also Read: Protesters Storm Nepal Parliament; 9 Dead, Curfew Imposed In Kathmandu
