Nepal’s capital city, Kathmandu, saw massive protests on Monday after people gathered against the ban on social media apps. The protest turned violent when demonstrators stormed the Parliament building. Police fired bullets to control the crowd, killing at least 16 people and injuring many others.
Protesters Surround Parliament
Thousands of young protesters, mostly from Gen Z, marched toward the Parliament building, while they carried posters and shouted slogans against the government. The protesters were angry about the ban on 26 social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp, and X (Twitter).
Riot police tried to stop them with barricades, but the crowd jumped over and pushed forward. The police, who were fewer in number, moved back and hid inside the Parliament compound. Soon, they opened fire to stop the protesters.
Deaths and Injuries
By 5:30 pm, reports confirmed that at least 16 people had died. Many others were seriously injured. Witnesses said the police were shooting directly into the crowd.
One protester said, “A while ago, the police fired bullets which did not hit me but hit a friend of mine standing behind me. He was shot in the hand. The firing is still going on, and we can hear gunfire from inside the parliament as well. My friend, who was standing on the road, was shot in the head. The police are firing indiscriminately, aiming above the knees. Are they allowed to do this?”
Kathmandu, Nepal: A protester says, “A while ago, the police fired bullets which did not hit me but hit a friend of mine standing behind me. He was shot in the hand. The firing is still going on and we can hear gunfire from inside the parliament as well. My friend, who was… https://t.co/2gM8GGjJdx pic.twitter.com/qV6gI9x5SF
— ANI (@ANI) September 8, 2025
Protesters Blame Police
The protesters said they only wanted a peaceful march. But according to them, the police started the violence. “We were planning to hold a peaceful protest, but as we advanced further, we could see the violence by the police. The police are firing on the people, which is against the essence of peaceful protest. Those who are sitting in power cannot impose their power on us,” one demonstrator told ANI.
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Another protester said the government was attacking their basic rights. He added, “Anti-corruption protests are being suppressed, which is against the freedom of speech and the right to expression.”
Why the Protests Started
The government of Nepal banned 26 social media apps on September 4. Officials said the ban was needed because fake accounts were spreading hate speech, fake news, and online fraud. The ban included popular platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, and X.
But the protesters saw the ban as a direct attack on freedom of speech. The group ‘Hami Nepal’ organised the rally with prior permission. Reports said that before the ban, organisers had used social media to guide protesters and share safety tips.
Curfew in Kathmandu
After the situation went out of control, the government announced a curfew in parts of Kathmandu. The restrictions covered the Parliament area, the presidential palace, and the government secretariat. Police and army officers were deployed in large numbers to bring the situation under control.
The violent protests show how strongly Nepal’s youth feel about their right to free speech and online access.
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