In what’s being described because the world’s first “Gen Z Revolution,” 1000’s of younger protesters in Nepal took to the streets following the federal government’s ban on 26 social media platforms. The ban, which got here into impact on September 4, focused apps that did not register with Nepalese authorities beneath new digital compliance guidelines.
The protests, led largely by youth aged 13 to 30, quickly escalated into violent clashes. Demonstrators stormed restricted zones, surrounded Parliament, and clashed with police in Kathmandu. The federal government imposed curfews, deployed the military, and reportedly issued shoot-to-kill orders in some areas. To date, 19 folks have been killed, and over 350 have been injured. In at this time’s DNA episode, Rahul Sinha, Managing Editor of Zee Information, analysed the protests in Nepal led by Gen Z:
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#DNAWithRahulSinha | ओली सरकार के खिलाफ सड़क पर ‘यलगार’, सोशल मीडिया बैन से Gen-Z का विरोध प्रदर्शन #DNA #Nepal #NepalProtest @RahulSinhaTV pic.twitter.com/lKtrbVOotZ
— Zee Information (@ZeeNews) September 8, 2025
Amid rising strain, Nepal’s Dwelling Minister resigned. Prime Minister Ok.P. Sharma Oli defended the choice.
What Triggered The Protests?
On August 28, the Nepalese authorities gave social media corporations seven days to register domestically. Most platforms did not comply, prompting the ban. Apps like TikTok reportedly adopted the principles, whereas others together with Fb, Instagram, WhatsApp, and X (previously Twitter) had been blocked.
With greater than 90 per cent of Nepal’s 30 million inhabitants utilizing the web, the affect was large:
– 12.5 million WhatsApp customers affected
– 10 million Fb customers
– 4.5 million YouTube customers
– 3.6 million Instagram customers
Who Are Gen Z and Why Are They Protesting?
Gen Z contains these born between 1997 and 2012, making up round 21 per cent of Nepal’s inhabitants. This technology has grown up with smartphones, web entry, and social media as integral components of their each day lives — for communication, training, revenue, and activism.
Initially, Gen Z voiced their dissent on-line. However after the ban, the protest spilled into the streets. Many college students, even in class uniforms, joined the motion. The state of affairs turned so risky that the army needed to be deployed and Parliament became a battleground.
Social Media
Globally, greater than 4.5 billion persons are on social media. In India, the common time spent per consumer is 2 hours and 28 minutes per day. Amongst 18–24-year-olds, that quantity rises to over 3 hours.
The worldwide creator financial system, pushed by social platforms, is now valued at Rs. 17 lakh crore. India alone has over 2.5 million content material creators contributing to a Rs. 21,000 crore market. Within the final three years, YouTube creators have earned over Rs. 6 lakh crore.
Whereas this exhibits the optimistic financial affect of social media, specialists warning that its sudden elimination can result in instability — particularly amongst a technology that sees it as a lifeline.
Regional and Strategic Ramifications
Nepal shares a 1,751 km open border with India. Any instability in Nepal may result in migration and safety considerations for India, which has already elevated vigilance alongside the border.
One other dimension is geopolitical. Chinese language apps like TikTok and Viber weren’t banned, resulting in hypothesis about elevated Chinese language affect in Nepal. The present authorities, perceived to lean towards Beijing, may face challenges if protests develop stronger.
May This Lead To A Coup?
Although the protest has been quickly suspended, analysts warn that it might return with larger depth if calls for should not met.
With Gen Z forming a big and arranged demographic, some even worry the opportunity of regime change.
Historic Parallels: Arab Spring And Tunisia
Related actions have occurred earlier than. Throughout Egypt’s Arab Spring in 2011, the federal government imposed an web blackout to forestall protesters from organizing by way of Fb and Twitter. The outcome was intensified protests and finally, President Hosni Mubarak stepped down.
In Tunisia, the Jasmine Revolution started after social media outrage over police brutality. Censorship couldn’t cease the motion, and President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali fled the nation in early 2011.