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This article is about an ongoing protest in Nepal. For other uses, see Gen Z revolution.
2025 Nepalese Gen Z protests
Protesters in Chitwan, 8 September 2025.
Date 8 September 2025 – present
Location Nepal
Caused by
Government corruption and nepotism
Government ban on social media platforms
Goals
Anti-corruption
Governmental accountability and transparency
Restoration of social media platforms
Methods Demonstrations • Hacktivism[clarification needed] • Internet activism
Status Ongoing
President Ram Chandra Paudel[1] and Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli resigned[2]
Lifting of the social media ban[3]
Parties
Nepal Protesters
Safal Workers’ Street Committee
Nepal Government of Nepal
borderless Nepalese Armed Forces
In September 2025, large-scale demonstrations, commonly referred to as the Gen Z protests[a][7][8] took place across Nepal, predominantly organized by students and young citizens. The protests were initially sparked by public criticism of perceived corruption and the display of wealth by government officials and their families, as well as allegations of mismanagement of public funds.[9]
Additional factors contributing to the demonstrations included widespread concerns about systemic corruption from local government to the national level and the government’s decision to restrict access to several major social media platforms. The movement quickly expanded to encompass broader issues of governance, transparency, and political accountability.[10][11]
Public mobilization intensified following the imposition of a social media ban by the Government of Nepal on 4 September 2025.[12][13]
Background
On 4 September 2025, the Government of Nepal ordered the shutdown of 26 social media platforms including Facebook, X, YouTube, LinkedIn, Reddit, Signal, and Snapchat, for failing to register under the new rules of the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology.[12] Critics argued that the shutdown was prompted by a social media trend highlighting nepotism, focusing on the undue privileges enjoyed by the children and relatives of influential political leaders.[14] The trend prompted significant public attention and engagement from Gen Z users.[15][16]
Protests
Day 1
On 8 September 2025, large gatherings took place in Kathmandu,[8] particularly at Maitighar Mandala and around the federal parliament building, New Baneshwor, with tens of thousands of participants.[17][18] The protest had no formal leadership, with individuals joining voluntarily to oppose corruption and the ban on social media. The demonstrations escalated when protesters attempted to enter the Federal Parliament of Nepal, leading security forces to respond with tear gas, water cannons, rubber bullets, and live ammunition.[19] The Straw Hat Pirates’ Jolly Roger flag from the manga series One Piece was used by some protesters, in similar fashion to the 2025 Indonesian protests.[20]
In the evening, the government lifted the ban on social media platforms.[21] Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned.[22] A curfew was imposed in several major cities including Kathmandu, Birgunj, Bhairahawa, Butwal, Pokhara, Itahari, and Damak.[23]
The confrontations resulted in at least 19 people killed and 347 people injured.[19][24][6]
Day 2
On 9 September 2025, violent actions targeted several prominent locations in Kathmandu, including the residences of the Prime Minister of Nepal and the President of Nepal, as well as the homes of various government ministers and members of parliament, which were set ablaze by protesters.[25] The headquarters of the Communist Party of Nepal (UML) and Nepali Congress was also vandalized, with party flags stripped and burned, reflecting a direct expression of public anger toward political leadership.[26] Security forces, including the Nepalese Army, facilitated the safe evacuation of politicians from affected areas and evacuated to the Tribhuvan International Airport, while attempting to control the escalating incidents of arson and destruction.[27][28]
Minister of Agriculture Ram Nath Adhikari and Health Minister Pradip Paudel along with 21 MP’s from the Rastriya Swatantra Party resigned.[29]
Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli resigned.[2]. Despite this, protests continued nationwide. Protestors set fire to part of Singha Durbar, the administrative headquarters of Nepal[30] and the adjacent building of the Supreme Court of Nepal.[31]
The protestors went to the Tribhuvan International Airport to block the political leaders from fleeing. The airport was closed and occupied by the Nepal Army.[32]
Deuputy prime minister Prakash Man Singh’s house and vehicle were set on fire.[33]
The prison in Kailali district was attacked by the protestors. All inmates fled.[34] read more…
