The Nepal government’s move to silence the digital public square has unleashed its most vocal generation yet. What began as a ban on 26 social media platforms has rapidly evolved into a Nationawide confrontation over rights, governance and the very future of political legitimacy.

Key Developments in Nepal

Gen Z Protests Erupt Nationwide

A wave of massive protests, largely led by the younger generation (often dubbed “Gen Z”), has shaken Nepal. These were sparked by a government-imposed ban on 26 major social media platforms including Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube as part of regulatory efforts targeting unregistered platforms .

Violent Unrest Leaves At Least 19 Dead

On September 8, protests turned deadly. Security forces used tear gas, water cannons, rubber bullets, and live ammunition when crowds stormed government buildings, including the Federal Parliament. At least 19 people were killed and more than 100 injured across multiple cities .

Government Reverses the Social Media Ban

Facing mounting pressure, authorities lifted the social media ban on September 9. Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli expressed sorrow over the violence, announced compensation for victims’ families, promised free medical care for the injured, and initiated a 15-day investigation into the unrest. However, a curfew remains in place in Kathmandu and surrounding areas .

Prime Minister Resigns Amid Crisis

In a significant political fallout, PM Oli resigned during the height of the protests. A caretaker government is expected to take over while President Ram Chandra Poudel and the army have urged calm and dialogue. Meanwhile, protesters continue to demand deeper reforms, not just reversal of the social media ban .

Nepal’s turmoil is more than a story of censorship reversed or a Prime Minister’s resignation. It is a reminder that political systems which underestimate the digital generation do so at their own peril. For Gen Z, connectivity is not a privilege but a right, and governance that fails to reflect this reality risks not just dissent, but a legitimacy crisis. Whether Nepal’s leaders can turn this moment of upheaval into a catalyst for reform will determine if the protests are remembered as a fleeting disruption or the dawn of a new political era.