A deadly youth uprising erupted in Nepal on Monday following the government’s ban on 26 social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and X, on September 4th. The police responded to demonstrations in Kathmandu with gunfire, resulting in at least 20 deaths and over 300 injuries. Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned in response to the clashes, and the army secured roads leading to Parliament as tensions rose. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli attributed the violence to “infiltration from unnecessary elements,” while defending the ban as “regulation.” The government later reversed the ban, with Communication Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung announcing the reopening of social media after an emergency Cabinet meeting. The protests were spearheaded by 36-year-old Sudan Gurung, the president of Hami Nepal, a youth-led NGO that transitioned into a civic movement. Gurung’s group had officially applied to conduct marches and encouraged students to use school uniforms and books to create symbols of peaceful resistance. Before the ban, Hami Nepal utilized social media to share protest routes and safety information. Gurung’s background includes leading Hami Nepal, which was established after the 2015 earthquake. The loss of his child during the earthquake, as reported by The Annapurna Express, significantly impacted his life’s path. He transitioned from event planning to disaster relief work, driven by a passion for civic duty. Gurung previously led the Dharan “Ghopa camp” protest demanding transparency at the BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences. He has become the organizer of the Gen Z movement, channeling digital-age frustrations into organized action. Thousands of young protesters, including many students, took to Kathmandu’s streets, staging a large rally outside Parliament to demand the immediate lifting of the social media ban. Protests turned violent when demonstrators breached the Parliament complex, resulting in the use of water cannons, tear gas, and live rounds by the police. The unrest quickly spread beyond the capital, with protests in multiple cities. Hospitals in Kathmandu, including the Civil Hospital and the Trauma Centre, were overwhelmed with casualties. Authorities implemented curfew orders in multiple locations. A viral campaign called “Nepo Kid” gained traction online, accusing the children of politicians and elites of benefiting from corruption, fueling the protests.
