Nepal experienced its deadliest youth-led uprising in years on Monday, triggered by the government’s decision to ban 26 social media platforms, including major services such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, and X. The violent protests in Kathmandu claimed at least 20 lives and left more than 300 people injured as demonstrators clashed with police forces. The unrest quickly spread beyond the capital, engulfing cities including Pokhara, Butwal, Bhairahawa, Bharatpur, Itahari, and Damak.
In the immediate aftermath, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned on moral grounds, acknowledging the government’s responsibility for the escalating crisis. Meanwhile, the Nepal Army took control of roads surrounding the Parliament complex as authorities struggled to contain the widespread disorder. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli attributed the violence to what he described as “infiltration by unwanted elements,” while asserting that the government’s intention was regulatory rather than censorial. Following a national backlash, the government partially reversed its decision, with Communication Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung announcing that access to social media platforms would be restored after an emergency Cabinet meeting.
At the forefront of the protests is 36-year-old Sudan Gurung, president of Hami Nepal, a youth-led NGO that has evolved into a civic movement. Gurung has been instrumental in organizing and mobilizing young demonstrators, using social media before the blackout to circulate protest routes and safety guidelines. In a previous post on Instagram, he noted that Hami Nepal formally applied to organize rallies, instructing students to wear school uniforms and carry books as symbols of peaceful resistance. Under his leadership, the organization has become a structured channel for the digital-age frustrations of Gen Z in Nepal.
Sudan Gurung’s personal journey has shaped his role as a grassroots leader. A former event organizer, he pivoted to disaster relief and civic activism after losing his child in the 2015 earthquake, an event that deeply influenced his trajectory. He previously led the “Ghopa camp” protest in Dharan, demanding transparency at the BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences. Over time, Gurung has emerged as a prominent voice for young Nepalis, bridging social activism with civic responsibility and positioning himself as an organizer capable of translating digital-era dissent into coordinated, peaceful action.
The protests began as thousands of students and young activists gathered outside the Parliament in Kathmandu, demanding the immediate lifting of the government’s social media restrictions. The demonstrations escalated when crowds breached the Parliament complex, prompting security forces to respond with water cannons, tear gas, and live rounds. Hospitals across the city, including the Civil Hospital and the Trauma Centre, reported being overwhelmed with injured protesters, necessitating referrals to other medical facilities.
Authorities imposed curfews in multiple cities, including parts of Kathmandu and Lalitpur, as well as Pokhara, Butwal, and Itahari, in an effort to curb the violence. Adding momentum to the protests was the viral “Nepo Kid” campaign, which resonated with young Nepalis frustrated by perceived systemic corruption and privilege. The movement specifically targeted the children of politicians and elites, accusing them of enjoying undue advantages funded by misappropriated resources.
The combination of youth mobilization, social media coordination, and widespread discontent over governance and corruption has made the protests a defining moment in Nepal’s recent political history. With the government partially reversing its ban and leaders like Sudan Gurung at the helm of organized civic resistance, the demonstrations have highlighted both the power and the influence of Gen Z in shaping the country’s political discourse.
