The youth of Nepal are currently protesting against the Nepalese government on a massive scale. The protest is underway in the capital of Nepal, Kathmandu. The Nepalese government has recently banned around 26 major social media and messaging platforms like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, X (Twitter), Signal, LinkedIn. This decision has angered the youth of Nepal – especially the younger generation. In their view, this is not just a ban on apps, but an attempt to suppress freedom of expression and the digital economy and anti-corruption voices.
Through this blog, we will shed light on the background of the protest and the government’s role in this regard.
Background behind the start of the protest
- The Nepalese government has banned around 26 major social media and messaging platforms like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, X (Twitter), Signal, LinkedIn in Nepal. All social media apps and platforms will be banned from September 4, 2025. Nepal’s Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli cited national sovereignty and security as the reasons for the ban. The government said that the banned social media platforms and apps had not followed the required registration process.
- The country’s youth and experts have claimed that the ban is being imposed to create political pressure to stop anti-corruption criticism and anti-government propaganda through the use of social media.
- In fact, a very large class of social media users has emerged all over the world. Social media is being used not only for entertainment but also as a platform for employment, entrepreneurship, agitation and expression. Therefore, this ban is becoming a symbol of economic loss along with democratic repression.
Intensity of the movement
- Thousands of youth from Maitighar Mandal in Kathmandu on On September 8, 2025, a march was started towards the Parliament House to raise anti-government voices. The protesters raised various slogans against corruption, unemployment and censorship.
- To reduce the intensity of the protest, the police tried to disperse the crowd by using tear gas, water cannon, rubber bullets and lathicharge. However, the protesters entered the Parliament House premises despite the police’s obstacles. At least 4-5 protesters died in this clash, while many youths were seriously injured.
- This protest is considered to be the most intense and courageous protest in the recent history of Nepal.
What is the government’s role against the protest?
- Considering the intensity of the protest, the government imposed curfew in the Parliament House premises and deployed a large number of troops. Explaining his position on behalf of the government, Prime Minister Oli clarified that all the banned platforms were given seven days to register, which is necessary for security reasons to get permission in Nepal, but they did not register. Therefore, “the sovereignty of the nation is greater than any commercial pressure,” but even after this, the intensity of the movement has not decreased. The government is also being criticized at the international level.
Impact on Nepal’s economy: A blow to the digital economy
The ban has dealt a major blow to Nepal’s digital economy.
1. Freelancing and employment – Many youth were earning their income through freelancing, digital marketing, e-commerce and content creation through social media. Thousands of jobs have been threatened due to the ban.
2. Startups and investors – Startups in Nepal depend on social media advertisements for their marketing. This has reduced investor confidence and is at risk of reducing FDI (Foreign Direct Investment).
3. Financial Inclusion – Small businesses depended on platforms like WhatsApp Pay, Instagram Shops or Facebook Marketplace. Their sales have been halted due to the ban.
4. Economic Cost of Corruption – The main issue of the protesters is corruption. Waste of government funds and opaque transactions are the obstacles to Nepal’s GDP Growth.
5. International Image – The social media ban may create Nepal’s image as a “High Risk Market”. Foreign companies will avoid IT outsourcing and technology investments.
Attack on Freedom of Expression and Expert Opinion
- Media and digital experts have criticized the ban on social media as an “attack on freedom of expression”. Also, this will make Nepal technically isolated from the world and the country’s digital economy will completely disappear.
History of protests in Nepal
- In April 2025, teachers also went on strike against the education bill. And in March 2005, there were protests for the restoration of the monarchy, in which 2 protesters died. However, the youth movement currently underway in Nepal is becoming more organized, widespread and financially important than all these protests.
What next?
- Judging by the intensity of the movement, it seems that the youth movement in Kathmandu is not just against the ban on apps, but also against corruption, economic instability, censorship and government oppression.
- If the government does not take necessary steps in time and take measures to stop this movement, then the possibility of this movement intensifying in a more commercial form in the future cannot be ruled out. However, if proper dialogue and economic reforms take place, this movement can be a turning point for Nepal’s democracy and digital economy.
The movement in Kathmandu is a symbol of the struggle of Nepal’s youth. Although the social media ban was a spark, the real core of the movement is the public anger against corruption and the fight for economic freedom.
Nepal is currently at a crossroads where the government has only two options: one is to listen to the voice of the people and implement transparent reforms or face strong opposition from the youth and further weaken democracy and the economy.
