The Carnegie Endowment for Peace reported on September 1, 2025, that more than 71 countries have witnessed major protests in the past twelve months. Of those, at least 27 took place in nations labeled “not free.”
Humanity has rarely appeared angrier, and frustration with corruption, inequality, and repression is boiling over across the globe. Nepal has now become one of the clearest examples of this trend.
Earlier this month, the Himalyan nation was rocked to its core by some of its most intense demonstrations to date. The government announced a sudden ban on 26 popular social media platforms, from TikTok to X, igniting national outrage. Arguing that the measure was necessary to protect national security and reduce misinformation, officials stood their ground, only to enrage the very population that relies on the media the most—the youth. Within days, thousands flooded Kathmandu, targeting politicians, destroying property, and vandalizing government buildings. Over 2,000 were injured, and upwards of 70 people were killed.
However, as the East Asia Forum puts it, the demonstrations were never about social media. They were an uprising against continuous corruption, inequality, and long-standing social injustice.
A Ban that Lit the Fuse
Nepal is no stranger to corruption, and the nation’s inability to overcome its problematic systemic failures served as a major fuel for the 2025 protests. Rojan Joshi and Jae Brieffes contextualize for the East Asia Forum on September 21 that Nepal has long-standing struggles with its government. With citizens under the age of 30 making up over 56% of the population, Nepal’s inability to generate large-scale, permanent job growth has pushed youth unemployment upwards of 20%. Issues such as bribery, nepotism, and misuse of public funds plague the so-called democracy. Frequent changes in government (with fourteen prime ministers in 16 years) have led to political instability and weak institutions, making it difficult to enforce anti-corruption laws effectively. Public services like healthcare, education, and infrastructure are often underfunded or mismanaged. On top of these grievances, protesters have utilized images of politicians’ children, posing with luxurious items and on vacation, as the inspiration behind their retaliation. For instance, the BBC writes on September 16, “One of the most viral photos showed Saugat Thapa, the son of a provincial minister, standing next to a Christmas tree made of boxes of luxury brands including Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Cartier. In response, he said it was ‘an unfair misinterpretation’ and his father ‘returned every rupee earned from public service to the community’.”
This systemic corruption has contributed to distrust in politicians and institutions, making any unpopular government action—like the recent social media ban—a flashpoint for mass protests.
Within hours of the ban on September 4, the country’s youth began organizing demonstrations in Kathmandu, rapidly spreading to other major cities like Pokhara, Biratnagar, and Lalitpur. Protestors employed both digital and offline strategies despite the ban. VPNs, encrypted messaging apps, and grassroots networks allowed organizers to coordinate marches, distribute information, and rally large crowds. Demonstrations started peacefully, but tensions escalated when security forces imposed curfews, blocked streets, and deployed tear gas and water cannons. By September 8, official reports confirmed at least 19 deaths and hundreds of injuries.
The political consequences were almost immediate. Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned under pressure, and an interim government was installed to restore order. The new leadership, with its cosmetic apology, lifted the social media ban and promised compensation for those hurt, as well as reforms. In spite of these concessions, the unwavering rage of the Nepali people brings to question the validity and legitimacy of these promised reforms.
An Unusual Transfer of Power
By September 12, Sushila Karki was appointed the new interim leader, making the 73-year-old Nepal’s first female prime minister. Per NPR, Karki served as a popular candidate due to her record of cracking down on corrupt practices and crimes during her time as chief justice.
Though Karki’s appointment has offered hope to the Nepali people, many remain uncertain about the country’s future. Public trust has yet to be restored, and the transitional government faces enormous pressure to deliver real reforms.