Civicus discusses recent protests that have led to a government change in Nepal with Dikpal Khatri Chhetri, co -founder of Youth in Federal Discourse (Yfd). YFD is an organization led by young people that argues for democracy, social involvement and the empowerment of young people.
In September, the Nepalese government blocked 26 social media platforms, which led to mass protests led by people of generation Z. The police responded with sharp ammunition, rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannons, in which more than 70 people died. Despite the rapid abolition of the ban on social media, the protests continued to worry about the worries about the murders and corruption. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and the Minister of the Interior Rameh Lekhak have resigned and an interim government has taken over, with new elections planned within six months.
What was the reason for the protests?
When the government asked social media companies to register and they did not comply with it, she blocked 26 platforms, including Discord, Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, Signal, WhatsApp, X/Twitter and YouTube. A similar situation occurred in 2023, then Tiktok was forbidden And later recovered as soon as the company registered.
The government said the aim was to create a legal point of contact for content moderation and to ensure that platforms comply with national regulations. For them, the ban was just a matter of maintaining rules. But people saw it differently, and for Gen Z this was an attempt to silence them. Young people do not only use social media for entertainment; It is also the place where they talk about politics, denounce corruption and organize themselves. By banning these platforms, the government closed them off one of the few places where they found they could call leaders to account.
However, the prohibition was the last factor after years of frustration about corruption, lack of responsibility and a political elite that does not seem to be in touch with ordinary people. Young people see the children of politicians in luxury life while they have difficulty making ends meet. On Tiktok, this anger became visible in the ‘Nepokids’ trend, which exposed the privileges of political families and directly associated with corruption.
That is why the reaction was so powerful and immediately. What started as anger about a limitation of freedom of expression grew into a national call for transparency, responsibility and an end to the culture of corruption. Protests became a way for young people who refuse to accept the status quo to show that their voice cannot be silenced.
How did the government react to the protests?
Instead of dialogue, the government opted for repression. The police used rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannons to vary the crowd. Sharp ammunition was also fired in many places. By the end of the first day, 19 people were killed.
The use of sharp ammunition against unarmed demonstrators is a serious violation of human rights. The authorities claimed that protesters had entered limited zones around important government buildings, including the Parliament House, and argued that this justified their reaction. But evidence tells a different story: Images and post-mortem reports show that many of the victims were shot in the head, which indicates that they intended to cause serious damage instead of simply breaking the crowd. The police also failed to make full use of non-dead methods before they turned into sharp bullets.
Instead of damaging the protests, this violence further fueled public anger. The protests, which were now focused on corruption and the murders, continued, even after the government had lifted the ban on social media. Many realized that the government was both corrupt and willing to kill its own people to stay in power. In response, the authorities in the big cities imposed strict go -out bans.
The political consequences were immediately. Minister of the Interior Rameh Lekhak resigned the next day and took responsibility for the bloodshed. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli also resigned within a day. An interim government led by former chief judge Sushila Karki took the helm, the parliament was dissolved and new elections are planned for the next six months.
What changes do the demonstrators demand and what will come afterwards?
We demand systemic change. Corruption has spread over all levels of management and we are tired of politicians who have ruled for decades without improving our lives. While they become richer, ordinary people are confronted with unemployment, rising costs of living and no real opportunities. We refuse to accept this for longer.
We want a government that works transparently and efficiently, free from bribery, favoritism and political interference. Leaders must understand that the sovereignty belongs to the people and that it is their duty to serve the citizens, and not themselves.
We need more than just a few small reforms. Nepal needs serious discussions about sticking to the essence of his Constitution, and finding ways to change it if there is dissatisfaction, instead of completely upgrading it. Its implementation must be strengthened to really involve different voices, reflect our history and to be able to respond to future challenges. We call for new, younger and more competent leaders who can break the cycle of failures from the past.
The upcoming elections will be a crucial test. Generation Z must appear in figures, formulate clear demands on the wider public and ensure that the changes we strive for on the street are implemented in parliament.
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See also
Nepal: Protests against corruption force political change, despite violent action Burgermonitor 23.Sep.2025
Nepal: ‘The Social Network Bill is part of a broader strategy to sharpen control over digital communication’ Civicus-Lens | Interview with Dikshya Khadgi 28 February 2025
Nepal: ‘The Tiktok ban indicates attempts to check the digital space in the name of national sovereignty’ Civicus-Lens | Interview with Anisha December 11, 2023
© Inter Press Service (20251007064317) – All rights reserved. Original source: Inter Press Service
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