News Arena

Home

Nation

States

International

Politics

Opinion

Economy

Sports

Entertainment

Trending:

Home
/

curfew-in-nepal-as-gen-z-protests-escalate-india-secures-border

International

Curfew in Nepal as Gen Z protests escalate; India secures border

Gen-Z protests in Nepal have escalated sharply, leading authorities to impose curfews in Kathmandu and call in the army. In Damak, police firing left one dead and over 80 injured, while violent clashes in New Baneshwar also resulted in multiple casualties.

News Arena Network - Kathmandu - UPDATED: September 8, 2025, 03:51 PM - 2 min read

Gen Z leads massive protests in Kathmandu against corruption and social media curbs.


Nepal is currently witnessing a widespread and intense protest movement, primarily led by Generation Z, against the government of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. The demonstrations are a response to allegations of government corruption and a recent decision to ban several social media platforms. 


The protests, which originated online, escalated into a major confrontation on Monday, resulting in a violent clash with law enforcement near the Parliament building.


On Monday, what has been widely referred to as the "Gen Z Revolution" saw thousands of young protesters flood the streets of Kathmandu. The demonstrators, many of whom were students in their school and college uniforms, chanted slogans and held placards with messages like "Independent voice is our right" and "Where has the taxpayers' money gone?" They marched from Maitighar Mandala towards the Parliament building, seeking to voice their grievances directly to the government.

 

 

As the protesters neared Parliament, they encountered police barricades. The crowd, described as enraged, broke through these barriers, leading to a direct confrontation with security forces. In an attempt to disperse the demonstrators, police deployed tear gas and water cannons. 


However, the situation spiralled out of control as some protesters managed to breach the Parliament compound. In the ensuing chaos, police opened fire at multiple locations, leading to one fatality and injuring over 80 people. In response to the escalating violence, authorities imposed a curfew in key areas of the capital, including the Parliament vicinity.

 

 

 

 

The movement was initially sparked by a government decision on September 4 to block 26 social media platforms. The government, through the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, stated that these platforms, including major services like Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, and YouTube, had failed to comply with a new regulatory requirement to register with the ministry. 

 

 

 

Also Read: Judiciaries must exchange knowledge : CJI at Nepal-India Dialogue


The government's notice, issued on August 28, had given the companies a seven-day deadline to register, but by the time the deadline expired, none of the major platforms had submitted applications.


While the government defends the ban as a matter of regulatory compliance, the protesters and many critics view it as a direct act of censorship aimed at stifling dissent and suppressing critical voices. 

 

 

Despite government-imposed phone and internet blackouts, Gen Z activists creatively used alternative platforms such as TikTok and Reddit to mobilise and coordinate the mass protests. This digital-savvy approach allowed them to organise a bold and coordinated show of defiance, transitioning their online activism to the physical streets.


Analysts suggest that the social media ban was the final trigger for a movement fuelled by long-standing public anger over government corruption and economic inequality. The protesters' placards and chants directly addressed these issues, highlighting the deeper dissatisfaction that underpins the current unrest.

 

 


Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has publicly defended the government's decision to ban the unregistered social media platforms. Speaking at a convention of the ruling Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist), he asserted that the government would "always stand against anomalies and arrogance" and would "never accept any act that weakens the nation". 


Oli framed the ban as a necessary measure to uphold national dignity, independence, and sovereignty, stating that "any attempt to undermine the nation can never be tolerated." He also argued that the "independence of the nation is greater than the loss of jobs of a handful of individuals," in an apparent reference to those who might be professionally affected by the ban.


The protests, dubbed the 'Gen Z Revolution', continue to draw attention to the deep-seated issues facing Nepal, with the younger generation at the forefront of a movement demanding accountability and freedom of expression.

 

Also Read: Nepal journalists protest as govt enforces social media ban

TOP CATEGORIES

  • Nation

QUICK LINKS

About us Rss FeedSitemapPrivacy PolicyTerms & Condition
logo

2025 News Arena India Pvt Ltd | All rights reserved | The Ideaz Factory