Takeaway
Nepal witnessed one of its most violent episodes in decades on September 8, when a youth-led uprising against the government’s ban on 26 social media platforms — including YouTube, Facebook, X, and Instagram — left 34 people dead and thousands injured. The demonstrations in Kathmandu and other cities forced four-time prime minister KP Sharma Oli to resign and triggered widespread vandalism and attacks on politicians across the political spectrum.
Although the social media ban sparked the protests, these developments reflect longstanding frustration over corruption, economic hardship, and youth alienation from the entrenched political elite. They are the most serious unrest since Nepal’s 2006 pro-democracy movement, which abolished the monarchy and established a democratic republic in 2008, and carry major implications for the wider region.
In Brief
- On September 4, Nepal’s government banned several social media platforms, citing their refusal to register under new rules. Critics viewed the ban as a veiled crackdown on free speech and dissent. While the Oli government initially defended the ban as a matter of national sovereignty, it reversed the decision on the second day of protests.
- Despite lifting the ban, the violent crackdown on protests fueled further escalation, with the Parliament, the Supreme Court, and several politicians’ homes set ablaze, and media outlets attacked. Politicians had to be rescued by helicopters from mobs targeting them. The army imposed a nationwide curfew and is effectively in charge on the ground.
- On September 10, youth organizers asserted that individuals tied to traditional political parties should not be Nepal’s next leader, and proposed the politically unaffiliated former chief justice Sushila Karki, Nepal’s only female chief justice, as interim leader — a symbolic call for a clean break from entrenched politics. Reports suggest Karki has agreed to serve as the interim chief executive.
- The U.N. condemned the killings, urging a transparent probe into disproportionate use of force against protesters. India and China issued statements urging restraint. Several nations, including Canada, updated travel advisories, urging their citizens to avoid “non-essential travel.”
Implications
Dubbed “Gen Z demonstrations,” Nepal’s youth mobilization reflects the growing political influence of a digitally active generation seeking to shape the nation’s future. A social media campaign targeting the privileged children of the political elite reflected growing public mistrust due to weak governance, erosion of democracy, and corruption. Frequent changes of government — 14 in 17 years — have also fueled public disillusionment, creating space for nostalgia for the monarchy and alternatives to the currently ruling elite. Earlier in 2025, pro-monarchy demonstrations highlighted longstanding frustration with political elites. Protesters used VPNs to circumvent internet shutdowns to organize online and amplify their demands, mirroring youth activism trends in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Indonesia.
The protests reflect deep frustrations over weak economic prospects, inequality, and corruption. They spotlight the discontent of one of the world’s youngest nations (median age 25.3) amid limited opportunities. Youth unemployment reached 20.8 per cent in 2024, and nearly a third of the population lives and works abroad. Over 76 per cent of households rely on remittances, up from 23 per cent in 1995-96.
Economic inequality is also glaring. While the wealthiest 10 per cent control 57 per cent of the wealth, the bottom 40 per cent hold less than 10 per cent. Moreover, in Transparency International’s 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index, Nepal ranked 107th out of 180 countries. Climate risks and disasters remain high, and only 48 per cent of households are considered food secure.
The World Bank forecasts 4.5 per cent GDP growth in 2025, up from 3.9 per cent, but weak financial assets, frequent bureaucratic reshuffles, and geopolitical uncertainties pose risks. Nepal remains one of the world’s poorest countries, with a per capita GDP of less than US$1,500. Tourism, which is one of the mainstays of the economy, is expected to be hit hard if civil unrest and political instability persist.
What’s Next
- Nepal’s political future remains unclear
With protesters rejecting Oli’s replacement from within the current parliament, the army is charged not just with restoring order but effectively managing the country. The army convened talks on Nepal’s political future, but the process is expected to remain chaotic as thousands of young Nepalis are seeking to have their voices heard in online discussions.
The demands of protesters may range from parliamentary dissolution and fresh elections within a year to constitutional reforms such as the direct election of the prime minister, reduced term for parliament, and term limits for prime ministers. The army’s role in restoring order underscores the fragility of this transition.
While the constitutional process still points to leadership from within parliament, non-traditional and populist candidates are gaining prominence. Figures such as Balendra Shah, the rapper-turned-mayor of Kathmandu, have emerged as potential prime ministerial contenders supported by youth demonstrators. Meanwhile, pro-monarchy factions around former King Gyanendra are staging revivals, although the protests remain focused on reforming the republic rather than restoring the monarchy.
- Regional uncertainty looms
Nepal’s unrest mirrors trends elsewhere in South Asia. Sri Lanka’s economic collapse in 2022 triggered mass protests that toppled the government. In 2024, youth-led demonstrations forced the resignation of former Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
Political instability in Nepal could also have major implications for regional power dynamics. Smaller states like Nepal have long sought to balance their relations with India and China, which are competing for strategic influence. Although Kathmandu traditionally maintained close ties with New Delhi, Prime Minister Oli’s tenure brought Nepal closer to Beijing through expanding economic and infrastructure partnerships, particularly under the Belt and Road Initiative. Ongoing political instability in Nepal could create further uncertainty in the regional balance of power, as India and China continue to vie for influence.
- International response urges restraint
On September 8, several foreign embassies in Nepal — including those of the U.K., U.S., France, and Japan — issued a joint statement expressing condolences for the lives lost, urging restraint, and reaffirming support for the rights of peaceful assembly and free expression. While Canada has updated its travel advisory, no broader statement has followed. With about 23,425 Nepalis living in Canada, the diaspora is watching closely. Canada’s High Commission in India also covers Nepal. Although a new High Commissioner has been named, the position is still vacant.
• Edited by Erin Williams, Programs Director, and Vina Nadjibulla, Vice-President Research & Strategy, APF Canada
