Tens of thousands of young Nepalese staged a massive protest against the government despite a sweeping ban on 26 social media platforms, including WhatsApp and Facebook, which are normally central to mass coordination. Leveraging remaining platforms like TikTok and Viber, along with VPNs, Gen Z showcased remarkable ingenuity in mobilizing quickly and efficiently, catching security forces off guard. The unprecedented scale of the protests left authorities struggling to maintain control, resulting in violent clashes, the imposition of curfews in Kathmandu and Pokhara, deployment of the Nepal Army, and tragically, 16 deaths along with over 100 injuries.
Protesters, chanting slogans such as “Stop the ban on social media, stop corruption not social media,” waved national flags and marched toward the Parliament, setting the main gate on fire and climbing the building while raising slogans. Security forces responded with tear gas, water cannons, and gunfire. Eyewitnesses reported bullets striking protesters, including injuries to hands and heads, underscoring the intensity and chaos of the confrontation.
The demonstrations represent a potent display of Gen Z’s resilience and digital-savvy activism, defying government-imposed communication restrictions and signaling a bold challenge to authority, corruption, and censorship in Nepal.
