At least 14 people have died and more than 100 were injured in Nepal on Monday during a big protest led by young people, also called Gen Z. The Health Ministry said hospitals in Kathmandu are running out of resources as more injured people keep coming in.
The protests started after the government banned 26 social media apps, including Facebook, WhatsApp, and YouTube. Many young protesters are angry, saying the ban is unfair and covers up corruption. To stay connected, they are using VPNs to access blocked apps and plan their movement.
The protest turned violent near the Parliament after protesters set the gate on fire and clashed with police. sh In response, the government called in the Nepal Army. Around 2–3 platoons have been deployed in Kathmandu, but the army is only in the capital for now. Authorities are trying to bring the situation under control.
What started online quickly spilled into the streets of Kathmandu on Monday. Thousands of young protesters, many of them school and college students, marched towards Parliament, chanting slogans like “Independent voice is our right” and “Where has the taxpayers’ money gone?” They carried placards and flags, accusing the government of corruption and misuse of power.
The protests soon turned violent. Demonstrators broke through police barricades and entered restricted areas near Parliament. Security forces responded with water cannons, tear gas, and even opened fire at several locations. At least nine protesters were killed, and more than 80 others were injured. The government then imposed a curfew in Kathmandu, especially around Parliament and other sensitive areas. The Nepal Army was also called in to maintain law and order.
Even with internet and phone blackouts, young activists found ways to mobilize through TikTok and Reddit. Videos and photos from the protests showed tear gas being fired into crowds and students fighting back with sticks, bottles, and branches.
Meanwhile, PM Oli defended the ban, saying no one should be allowed to “undermine the nation.” He argued that protecting national dignity and sovereignty was more important than the jobs or convenience of a few. Critics, however, believe the move is a way to silence dissent at a time when corruption and inequality have left young people frustrated.
For many, the government’s social media ban was just the final spark. Years of economic challenges, unemployment, and corruption had already created anger among the youth. The latest decision turned that anger into a full-blown street movement, making clear that Nepal’s Gen Z is no longer willing to stay silent.
