Nepal’s Political Earthquake: From Social Media Ban to Nationwide Uprising

Nepal, a small yet historically rich country nestled in the Himalayas, is making global headlines for reasons beyond its towering mountains and spiritual legacy. Located in South Asia, with Kathmandu as its capital city, this nation of nearly 30 million people has been gripped by some of the most intense protests in its modern history—protests that shook the government to its very foundation. 

A Ban That Lit the Fire

In early September 2025, the government of Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli ordered the blocking of 26 social media platforms, including global giants like Facebook, X (Twitter), WhatsApp, and YouTube. The official justification was to curb misinformation and regulate online platforms.

But in a nation where young people live, breathe, and organize through these digital spaces, the decision struck a raw nerve. For many, the ban symbolized more than censorship—it became the breaking point in a long-building frustration over corruption, nepotism, unemployment, and political elitism.

What began as peaceful demonstrations quickly escalated into full-blown unrest:

• Protesters stormed parliament in Kathmandu.
• Government buildings and even the prime minister’s residence were attacked.
• Fires engulfed key structures, symbolizing both the rage of the people and the collapse of public trust.

Security forces responded with overwhelming force. Tear gas, rubber bullets, and even live ammunition were used against crowds. By mid-September, the death toll climbed to over 70, with hundreds injured—marking it as one of the deadliest uprisings in Nepal in decades.

Facing mounting chaos, Prime Minister Oli had little choice but to resign. His departure was followed by the resignation of Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, who admitted moral responsibility for the deadly crackdown.

In a dramatic turn, Sushila Karki, a former Chief Justice of Nepal, was appointed as the country’s first female Prime Minister in an interim capacity. Her mandate: to stabilize the country and guide it toward fresh elections scheduled for March 5, 2026.

What makes these protests especially unique is the generation driving them. Young Nepalis—many of them Gen Z—formed the backbone of the movement. Born into a democratic Nepal but raised amid economic struggles and political scandals, they have grown impatient with what they call the “nepo kids culture”—where power and privilege are inherited, not earned.

Armed with courage, digital savvy, and raw frustration, they turned streets into battlegrounds and forced a seismic shift in their country’s leadership.

Nepal’s turmoil is more than a local story—it reflects a global pattern. Across continents, young people are rising up against corruption, inequality, and censorship. The social media ban in Nepal may have been the trigger, but the real fire was lit by decades of disillusionment.

For South Asia, a region often struggling with fragile democracies, Nepal’s crisis is a stark reminder that political legitimacy cannot survive without accountability and public trust.

Conclusion

Nepal, with Kathmandu as its capital and its place firmly in Asia, has entered a new chapter in its political journey. From the dramatic resignation of its Prime Minister to the appointment of its first female leader, the events of 2025 will go down in history as a turning point.

Whether the upcoming elections in 2026 bring stability or more upheaval remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: the people of Nepal, led by their young generation, have proven that even in a small Himalayan nation, the voice of the masses can shake the highest offices of power.

Nepal’s story is not just about politics—it’s about people who refuse to be silenced. It’s a reminder that democracy is fragile, but also that it can be reclaimed when citizens rise together.

_Comrade Abu Michael,is a social activist, theologian, policy political/political analyst, and blogger writes from

Edo State_