Deadly Protests Erupt in Kathmandu Against Social Media Ban

Wed Oct 22 2025 08:25:30 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Authorities in Kathmandu face outrage as protests against a social media ban result in clashes, leaving 17 dead and many injured.

In Kathmandu, police opened fire on protesters opposed to a government-mandated ban on social media, igniting widespread unrest. The ban, justified by officials as a necessity for oversight, led to a tragic toll of 17 lives lost and 145 individuals injured. Many injuries are severe, prompting increased demands for action from protesters who argue that the government is curtailing freedom of expression. Activists call for the ban on social media platforms—viewed as a means of censorship—to be lifted as curfews are imposed amidst the turmoil.

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Chaos erupted in Kathmandu on Monday as police reacted violently to protests against a governmental ban on social media platforms, resulting in at least 17 fatalities and injuring 145 individuals. The decision, justified by officials as necessary for oversight, has angered citizens who feel their rights are being infringed upon.

Protests gathered momentum outside the Parliament building, with tens of thousands voicing their dissent against the ban that affects widely-used platforms including Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube. As tensions escalated, clashes ensued, leading to the police using live ammunition against the demonstrators.

Authorities have since imposed a curfew in strategic areas to manage the unrest. Reports highlight many injuries, with victims suffering from severe wounds, particularly in sensitive areas such as the head and chest. Families are anxiously waiting outside hospitals for news on their loved ones.

“Stop the ban on social media, stop corruption—not social media,” the protestors chanted, many of whom identify as part of Generation Z, a demographic characterized by their active engagement with digital platforms.

The government's draft bill seeks to hold social platforms accountable in Nepal, prompting widespread criticism and accusations of trying to suppress free speech and curtail dissent.

The intensifying backlash against the ban has reignited discussions on censorship and the right to free expression in Nepal. As social media has become crucial for contemporary discourse, the government’s actions are viewed as an attempt to control online narratives, raising alarms among civil rights advocates.