Nepal’s Gen Z Revolution 2025: How a Social Media Ban Sparked a Historic Uprising

Mukunda Timilsina:

It is said, no matter how strong falsehood becomes, in front of truth, everything will always lose. For 30 years they kept looting people. Now finally they overturned the power completely.Gandhi Ji says, if someone slaps on one cheek, then offer the other. But the people of Nepal don’t even want to take the first slap,because Nepal is a country that has never been anyone’s slave. That is why, when corruption reaches its peak, what can people do?This can be clearly seen from this incident of Nepal. On 27 August 2025 in Nepal, the Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung,made a historic and controversial announcement that shook the entire digital world of the country. He said that about 26 major social media platforms must register with the Government of Nepal within 7 days. Among these 26 platforms were mainly Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp, and X formerly known as Twitter. The government, justifying this implementation, said that cybercrime and digital misconduct are increasing in the country.

Therefore, this action was necessary.But the public and independent media believed this was just an excuse, so that the government could hide the expensive lifestyle and show-off spending of their children, including millions worth of watches abroad, bags worth crores, and foreign expenses,and so that they could instantly remove any opposing or critical post and keep control themselves.The public also felt that these platforms were already registered before,and that these platforms were already paying taxes from abroad.

The question arose, if the platforms are already registered and paying taxes, then why was the government suddenly shutting them down? The public did not understand this, and they felt their life was about to be completely disrupted.Prithvi Subba Gurung said that earlier too, twice, requests were made for registration.

But social media companies ignored them.Now for the third time, a warning was given for registration,and it was clearly said that if this time also all platforms did not register, then the government would completely affect the people and stop their access to social media completely. Fear and worry increased in people’s minds.Concern spread immediately among the public. Small business owners who advertised their products on Facebook and Instagram, started thinking their business would be affected.Those who shared goods and maintained supply chains on WhatsApp became stressed.Creators who earned money by uploading videos on YouTube also became frightened.

The public realized that the children of the government were living a luxury life abroad,while ordinary people in Nepal were struggling hard every day just for one meal. This became the center of public anger and frustration.The public believed that the government had imposed this registration order only to keep full control over their luxury and personal posts, and to instantly remove anyone who spoke against them. Until the end of the seven days, the public was in constant worry. Elderly parents could not video call their children living abroad. Wives could not contact their husbands.In villages and cities people began to think that now their everyday lives would be fully affected. Without digital connection, businesses, studies, and social contact began to face obstacles. People started trying to run platforms by using BPA and DNS.But for most it failed. Meanwhile, it was also seen that five already registered platforms,including TikTok, Fiber, Pog Lite and two other applications, were not affected by this shutdown and kept working. Though this was a little relief on a small scale,for the majority of the people it was no option at all. If social media really remained closed, then the public had only two choices left.Either to work very hard for survival, or to go abroad for earnings. Because the government was not giving people any facility to run their home and life in an easy way.

The public felt that ordinary people were living like animals, while the government was spending millions and crores on their children.On 4 September 2025 the social media platforms were shut down. About 26 social media platforms.The public felt that this was not just a technical restriction, but rather a complete strategy of government control and surveillance.

By 4 September 2025 the people of Nepal were under mental stress, worry, and fear. They started realizing that the government had taken full control over their rights, personal freedom, and digital liberty, and now their life was completely affected. Nepal was about to take such a dangerous turn that was never before recorded in history.

On 4 September 2025 when the government completely shut down all unregistered social media platforms in the whole country, the atmosphere was calm in the beginning. But the blood of the youths was boiling from within. For this Gen Z generation, raised on the internet, social media was not only a source of entertainment, but a medium of their voice, identity, and freedom.From 4 to 6 September, the public continuously kept raising questions to the government. People were angry and many times were pleading not to shut down social media. Through TikTok, millions of people were bringing their words to the government’s attention,and those whose phones still had Facebook and YouTube running, they shared their own requests. But those whose phones had social media completely blocked,were left only with the means of seeing and hearing and then reacting. On 7 September 2025 at 3:28 pm,the Mayor of Kathmandu, Balen Shah, made a historic post on his Facebook page. He wrote that this movement belongs only to Gen Z,meaning the youths from 13 years to 28 years who have grown up in the era of social media, and now the time has come to bring their voice to the government. Within just a few hours, this post was seen by more than 300,000 people, and youths across the country became ready for the movement.On 8 September 2025, early in the morning, the streets slowly started filling with people.

In Kathmandu, Pokhara, Biratnagar, Chitwan, and Butwal including major districts of the country, lakhs of youths started gathering one by one. Some students came after finishing their first class. Some, without going to school or college, directly joined the movement. On TikTok and other social media, people kept requesting the government again and again not to shut down social media. Those whose phones still had Facebook and YouTube running,shared their suggestions and appeals. At first, the movement looked like a laughing and smiling atmosphere. People were talking among themselves. Making TikToks and videos. Journalists were talking with them. But as time passed, the anger kept rising. Thousands of youths gathered on the streets,with flags and slogans in their hands. At first, the movement seemed peaceful through words and posts. But as people reached near centers and government buildings, the situation turned dangerous.The youths started vandalizing in front of national and local government buildings. Gates were broken. Stones were thrown at the police. Police began securing the buildings with 100 to 200 personnel.But the anger of Gen Z was so strong that in many places police got scared and started folding hands and apologizing. In the whole movement about 19 youths were killed and 3 policemen also were injured in firing and died. On this day, the same scene was seen in all major cities of Nepal.The blood of the youths was so hot it seemed like it could melt iron.The youths were vandalizing everywhere.

Throwing stones at the police.Breaking gates and trying to control the movement. By night the movement did not turn peaceful,rather the anger of the youths increased even more. The movement had taken a dangerous turn.But Gen Z decided not to step back for their voice. This day was recorded as the most dangerous and decisive day in the history of Nepal,which pushed the movement even faster. This day started peacefully but turned into a dangerous and violent form with time. Friends who came together, seeing their own companions dying in front of their eyes, all young boys and girls now understood that this matter was not limited only to social media being shut down. In Nepal, governments through corruption and neglect were already exploiting the public, and giving no facility at all so that people could live happily. Now everyone realized that their friend was killed in front of them.The message of Gen Z was clear — revenge must be taken openly, and there must be blood. Seeing their own friends being shot one by one, falling down,everyone’s anger erupted like a volcano.Among their own, they were being shot in the head one by one, and this sight was filling fire in everyone’s heart.This was just the beginning. The next day was going to be even more terrifying, and these two days were to be forever recorded in the pages of history.The next day, 9 September 2025, even before sunrise, thousands of people began gathering one by one in every street.In every district and city of Nepal, lakhs of people were shouting slogans of anger and hatred against the government.This day had taken an even more dangerous form than 8 September. Every mind was filled with anger and hatred.Every Gen Z had the intention to erase everything of the government. Heavy numbers of police were deployed outside government offices everywhere. But the public kept moving forward.In their hands were petrol and lighters, and they were moving ahead to burn government things.The fire of revenge for the blood of people killed on 8 September was in everyone’s mind. Glasses of nearby houses were broken, and everything was uprooted. Big gates of government buildings were broken.This was happening simultaneously in every district.

The public started breaking the gates of the biggest parliament building under government commandos and began entering inside.The parliament building was completely vandalized and set on fire.The scene looked like some Hollywood movie VFX. Also, government files kept inside Singha Durbar were taken out and set on fire.

On 9 September, fire and destruction spread everywhere.
Big companies like Bhatbhateni supermarkets were also set on fire.
Supermarkets in Pokhara, Kathmandu, and Chitwan were burned down.
Loss of crores of rupees happened.
The public also released all prisoners from jail.
Those who had major crime cases and were serving their sentences were freed.
For the public this day was filled with dreams.
Meanwhile, Rabi Lamichhane was taken out of jail by the public.
That was the reason other prisoners were also freed from jail.
The public looted weapons and guns from the police and brought them under their control.
By the end of the day’s events, the public had fully shown their strength against the government,
and targeted all corrupt leaders and institutions.
As soon as darkness spread over Nepal,
the incidents of fire and destruction throughout the day ended.
Some criminals and unruly elements began taking advantage of the darkness of night.
Those who looted weapons and police guns in the day,
now, by mutual understanding, began entering big shops, markets, and houses to loot and rob.
Those who were part of the movement in the day,
some of them also began taking advantage of this night for their personal purposes.
Many families, with their sons, daughters, husbands, and wives, entered shops and began picking up goods.
Some, sitting with their father on a bike, were taking goods from shops to their house.
Some, together with daughters and sons, were one by one taking goods from large supermarkets and local shops to their homes.
Where some people were saying, “We did this only for the movement. Do not take personal goods.”
But most did not listen, and continued looting as they wished.
On streets, alleys, and markets there was chaos.
In screaming, pushing, and hurry, people were running with goods.
The weapons looted in the day, many used them for scaring, threatening, and for their safety.
The scope of theft and robbery kept expanding to the entire city,
and in the darkness of night, everywhere there was fire and noise.
Prisoners released from jail also joined this anarchy.
Inspired by the day’s incidents, they kept committing crimes throughout the night.
Looting and vandalism continued in houses, shops, markets, and government offices.
Bike theft, theft of cash and valuables, and attacks on local shops,
all happened in this night.
And then, as night began to end,
the first ray of sun lit Nepal.
A new beginning of the next day began.

After the day’s fire and anarchy,
everyone started cleaning their own districts.
People, one by one, began removing items, broken goods, and debris lying in their areas.
Goods taken from large shops and supermarkets could not be returned.
But whatever was possible, was cleaned.
But in some places people went house to house and gathered looted goods again in one place,
so that later they could be returned to their real owners.
But most goods were looted forever.
Within just a few hours, where two days earlier there had been vandalism and fire,
everything started looking as before.
Roads of houses, spaces outside government offices, and public areas started coming back to normal.
Still, the chaotic and violent scenes of those two days remained fresh in people’s memories.
The vandalism of big buildings and government offices frightened everyone,
and reminded what had happened two days ago.
In this process, people felt tired and disappointed.
The memories of large items and buildings destroyed were still fresh.
Although cleaning was done,
the experience of two days of violence and chaos left a deep impact in everyone’s mind.

In this way, the theft of night, the robbery, and the cleaning of the next day,
made that doorway of Nepal forever memorable.
This story between darkness and fire shows that
steps taken against tyranny and corruption can sometimes go out of control,
and its effect can remain in people’s memories for a long time.
In this way Nepal, by erasing corrupt leaders in this incident,
began the creation of a new Nepal, which was a right step.

The anger of the public was such that fire spread in government buildings of every district. Government vehicles and offices were completely destroyed. Somewhere files were taken outside and burnt in the open. Police officers completely retreated.Those who had killed Gen Z on 8 September were badly beaten by the public.The anger had grown so much that houses of all leaders were set on fire. Sher Bahadur Deuba, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, and KP Oli — houses of all leaders were burnt.In Sher Bahadur Deuba’s house lakhs and crores of rupees also burned in the fire.Seeing money flying in the sky looked like a scene from some South movie.Every leader was chased and beaten. Whoever was found with leaders was beaten to death in the river. Some were spared. Sher Bahadur Deuba and his wife were dragged inside their house and beaten like dogs.The main Prime Minister of Nepal, KP Oli, was flown away by helicopter by the army. Till now his whereabouts are not known.The army chief Ashok Raj Singdel forbade shooting the public, and joined the public in removing corrupt leaders.

On 9 September, fire and destruction spread everywhere.
Big companies like Bhatbhateni supermarkets were also set on fire.
Supermarkets in Pokhara, Kathmandu, and Chitwan were burned down.
Loss of crores of rupees happened.
The public also released all prisoners from jail.
Those who had major crime cases and were serving their sentences were freed.
For the public this day was filled with dreams.
Meanwhile, Rabi Lamichhane was taken out of jail by the public and supported,
so that he could become the next president.
That was the reason other prisoners were also freed from jail.
The public looted weapons and guns from the police and brought them under their control.
By the end of the day’s events, the public had fully shown their strength against the government,
and targeted all corrupt leaders and institutions.
As soon as darkness spread over Nepal,
the incidents of fire and destruction throughout the day ended.
Some criminals and unruly elements began taking advantage of the darkness of night.
Those who looted weapons and police guns in the day,
now, by mutual understanding, began entering big shops, markets, and houses to loot and rob.
Those who were part of the movement in the day,
some of them also began taking advantage of this night for their personal purposes.
Many families, with their sons, daughters, husbands, and wives, entered shops and began picking up goods.
Some, sitting with their father on a bike, were taking goods from shops to their house.
Some, together with daughters and sons, were one by one taking goods from large supermarkets and local shops to their homes.
Where some people were saying, “We did this only for the movement. Do not take personal goods.”
But most did not listen, and continued looting as they wished.
On streets, alleys, and markets there was chaos.
In screaming, pushing, and hurry, people were running with goods.
The weapons looted in the day, many used them for scaring, threatening, and for their safety.
The scope of theft and robbery kept expanding to the entire city,
and in the darkness of night, everywhere there was fire and noise.
Prisoners released from jail also joined this anarchy.
Inspired by the day’s incidents, they kept committing crimes throughout the night.
Looting and vandalism continued in houses, shops, markets, and government offices.
Bike theft, theft of cash and valuables, and attacks on local shops,
all happened in this night.
And then, as night began to end,
the first ray of sun lit Nepal.
A new beginning of the next day began.

After the day’s fire and anarchy,
everyone started cleaning their own districts.
People, one by one, began removing items, broken goods, and debris lying in their areas.
Goods taken from large shops and supermarkets could not be returned.
But whatever was possible, was cleaned.
But in some places people went house to house and gathered looted goods again in one place,
so that later they could be returned to their real owners.
But most goods were looted forever.
Within just a few hours, where two days earlier there had been vandalism and fire,
everything started looking as before.
Roads of houses, spaces outside government offices, and public areas started coming back to normal.
Still, the chaotic and violent scenes of those two days remained fresh in people’s memories.
The vandalism of big buildings and government offices frightened everyone,
and reminded what had happened two days ago.
In this process, people felt tired and disappointed.
The memories of large items and buildings destroyed were still fresh.
Although cleaning was done,
the experience of two days of violence and chaos left a deep impact in everyone’s mind.

In this way, the theft of night, the robbery, and the cleaning of the next day,
made that doorway of Nepal forever memorable.
This story between darkness and fire shows that
steps taken against tyranny and corruption can sometimes go out of control,
and its effect can remain in people’s memories for a long time.
In this way Nepal, by erasing corrupt leaders in this incident,
began the creation of a new Nepal, which was a right step.