Paper: GS – II, Subject: International Relations, Topic: India and its neighbourhood, Issue: Nepal protests.
Context:
On 9 September 2025, Nepal lifted its social media ban following nationwide Gen Z-led protests that killed 19 people and injured over 300. The protests escalated after violent clashes between security forces and demonstrators in Kathmandu and other major cities. The crisis led to the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and widespread political instability.
Key Takeaways:
Background of Social Media Ban:
- Platforms Banned: 26 platforms including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter). TikTok remained accessible.
- Trigger: Platforms failed to meet registration requirements set by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology within a seven-day deadline.
- Legal Basis: Supreme Court directive (25 August 2025) in a contempt case became the legal basis for the ongoing Social Media Bill.
- Government Justification: Cited concerns about fake accounts, hate speech, misinformation, and cybercrime.
Gen Z Response and Street Protests:
- Protesters: Primarily students and young people born between 1996–2012 (Gen Z).
- Mobilisation: Used TikTok to coordinate locations and support; explicitly avoided political party interference.
- Demands: Lift the social media ban, express broader frustration with corruption, social inequality, and deamand employment opportunities.
- Escalation: Demonstrators set fire to government buildings, residences of former PMs (Oli, Prachanda, Madhav Nepal, Jhala Nath Khanal, Sher Bahadur Deuba), and public institutions including Naldhu Central Jail.
Historical Background:
- Political Instability: Nepal has had 14 governments since 2008 and no government completed a full term.
- Recent Political Leadership: KP Sharma Oli served multiple terms and resigned on 9 September 2025.
Social Media Bill and Press Freedom Concerns:
- Key Provisions:
- Mandatory content removal within 24 hours
- Local offices and data storage within Nepal
- Government-appointed monitoring committees
- Concerns: Could enable censorship, suppress dissent, intimidate journalists, and restrict opposition voices.
- Government Stance: Bill aimed at addressing cybercrime, harassment, and fake news while preserving regulated free expression.
Implications:
- Civil Liberties: Social media access seen as fundamental right; ban curtailed youth expression and political dissent.
- Youth Mobilisation: Gen Z’s large-scale street protests indicate rising political awareness and activism.
- Political Accountability: Highlighted entrenched corruption, immunity of political elites, and systemic governance failures.
- Economic Impact: Social media is crucial for commerce, education, and tourism; disruptions affect digital economy and innovation.
- Governance Challenges: Demonstrated the limits of top-down digital control; need for nuanced cyber regulation that balances freedom and security.
- Regional Impact: India closely monitoring situation due to geopolitical proximity; emphasised stability and peaceful resolution.
Conclusion:
The September 2025 social media ban and subsequent protests in Nepal illustrate the tension between state control and youth-led digital activism. Gen Z’s mobilisation underscores the importance of integrating digitally native generations into policy-making while ensuring fundamental freedoms are protected.
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