At least 14 people have been killed in Nepal as mass demonstrations against a government-imposed social media ban erupted into violent clashes with police.
Thousands of young protesters, many from Generation Z, poured onto the streets of Kathmandu after authorities blocked 26 platforms, including Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Demonstrators carrying the national flag gathered near parliament, chanting, “Stop the ban on social media, stop corruption not social media.”
What began as peaceful rallies quickly escalated into deadly confrontations. Witnesses reported that police opened fire on crowds attempting to storm the parliament building, while security forces also deployed water cannons, batons, and rubber bullets to disperse protesters.
Nepal’s Minister for Communication, Prithvi Subba, confirmed to the BBC that officers used force to contain the unrest. Authorities have since imposed a curfew across parts of Kathmandu in an attempt to restore order.
The government introduced the sweeping ban after social media companies failed to comply with a registration deadline. Officials maintain that regulation is necessary to curb fake news and online fraud, but critics say the measure undermines free speech and disproportionately targets the country’s youth.
The unrest has been dubbed a “Gen Z protest,” as younger Nepalis lead the charge against what they see as censorship and government overreach. Tensions remain high as police and demonstrators face off, with fears of further casualties if the standoff continues.
