Deadly Clashes and Political Turmoil: Gen Z’s Fierce Uprising In Nepal Ignited By Digital Rebellion | DNA Decodes | World News
In the world’s first “Gen Z Revolution”, thousands of young protesters in Nepal went to the streets following the 26 social media platform’s ban on 26 social media platforms. The ban, which entered into force on 4 September, targeted applications that did not register for Nepal officials under the new rules of compliance.
The protests led by young people between the ages of 13 and 30 were rapidly turned into violent conflicts. The demonstrators suppressed limited areas, surrounded the parliament, and clashed with the police in Kathmandu. The government imposed a curfew, deployed the army, and reportedly given orders to kill in some regions. So far 19 people have been killed and more than 350 people were injured. In today’s DNA section, Zee News’s executive editor Rahul Sinha analyzed the protests in Nepal by Gen Z:
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#Dnawithrahulsinha | ओली सरकार के खिलाफ सड़क पर ‘यलगार’ यलगार ‘, सोशल मीडिय बैन से gene-z का विरोध प्रदर्शन प्रदर्शन’ #DNA #Nepal #NepalProtest @Rahulsinhatv pic.twitter.com/lktrbvootz– Zee News (@zeenews) 8 September 2025
In the midst of increasing pressure, Nepal’s Interior Minister resigned. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli defended the decision.
What triggers protests?
On August 28, the Nepal government gave social media companies seven days to register local. Most platforms were not complied with the ban. While watching the rules of applications such as Tiktok, others, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and X (formerly Twitter), others are blocked.
The effect of Nepal’s 30 million population was more than 90 percent using the Internet:
– 12.5 million Whatsapp users impressed
– 10 million Facebook users
– 4.5 million youtube users
– 3.6 million Instagram user
Who is Gen Z and why are they protesting?
Gen Z includes those born between 1997-2012 and constitutes about 21 percent of the Nepal population. This generation grew with smartphones, internet access and social media as an integral parts of their daily lives for communication, education, income and activism.
Initially, Gen Z expressed its opposition online. However, after the prohibition, the protest was poured into the streets. Many students participated in the movement even in school uniforms. The situation became so variable that the army had to be deployed and the parliament became a battlefield.
Social media
Globally, more than 4.5 billion people are on social media. In India, the average time spent per user is 2 hours a day 28 minutes. Between the ages of 18-24, this number rises more than 3 hours.
The global creative economy directed by social platforms is now valued as RS. 17 Lakh Crore. Only India has more than 2.5 million content creatures that contribute to RS. 21,000 Crore market. In the last three years, youtube has won content creators through RS. 6 Lakh Crore.
While this shows the positive economic impact of social media, experts draw attention to that the abolition of sudden abolition may lead to instability – especially among a generation that sees it as a life line.
Regional and Strategic Results
Nepal shares a 1,751 km open border with India. Any instability in Nepal may lead to migration and safety concerns that increase the alertness along the border for India.
Another dimension is geopolitical. Chinese applications such as Tiktok and Viber were not banned, which led to speculation in the increase in China’s influence in Nepal. The current government, perceived to bend towards Beijing, may face difficulties if the protests are strengthened.
Can this lead to a coup?
Although the protest has been temporarily suspended, analysts warn that if the demands are not met, they can return with more intensity.
Gene z is a large and organized demographic, while some of them are afraid of the possibility of changes in the regime.
Historical Parallels: Arab Spring and Tunisia
Similar movements took place before. During Egypt’s Arab Spring in 2011, the government implemented an internet blackout to prevent protesters from being organized via Facebook and Twitter. The result was intense protests and finally President Hosni Mubarak resigned.
The Jasmine Revolution in Tunisia began after social media’s anger over police savagery. Censorship movement could not stop and President Zine El Abidine I escaped from the country in the early 2011.
