KATHMANDU – At least 16 protesters were killed on September 8 after police in Nepal used rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannons to disperse demonstrators rallying against a government ban on social media and alleged corruption.
Authorities restricted access to 26 unregistered platforms, including Facebook, YouTube and X, on September 5, sparking widespread anger among millions who rely on these sites for news, entertainment and business. Only TikTok remains accessible.
“Shekhar Khanal, spokesman for Kathmandu Valley Police, confirmed the fatalities and said nearly 100 people, including officers, are undergoing treatment. Many were admitted to Civil Hospital, where, according to officer Ranjana Nepal, doctors struggled to operate as tear gas seeped into the premises.”
The protests began peacefully with young demonstrators singing the national anthem and waving flags in central Kathmandu. Tensions escalated when crowds pushed through barbed wire near Parliament, triggering violent clashes. Some protesters breached the parliamentary compound, prompting baton charges by security forces.
District authorities quickly imposed a curfew around sensitive institutions, including the Parliament building, the President’s residence and the Prime Minister’s office at Singha Durbar. Parallel demonstrations flared in several districts across the country.
Young voices dominated the march. “We were triggered by the social media ban but that is not the only reason,” said 24-year-old student Yujan Rajbhandari. “We are protesting against corruption that has been institutionalised in Nepal.” Another demonstrator, 20-year-old Ikshama Tumrok, called the crackdown “an authoritarian attitude” and vowed that her generation would not stay silent.
The discontent has been amplified by viral TikTok videos contrasting the hardship of ordinary citizens with the lavish lifestyles of politicians’ families.
Officials maintain that platforms must comply with Nepali laws to operate. In August, the Cabinet required companies to register, appoint a grievance officer and maintain local compliance structures, following a 2024 Supreme Court directive. Though the government insists it respects freedom of expression, Nepal has a history of restricting platforms, including a nine-month ban on TikTok that was lifted last year after regulatory compliance.