Mohammad Ehsan Ahmad, Graduate, Jamia Ahmadiyya UK
Nepal made history on 12 September 2025 as Sushila Karki became the country’s first woman to serve as Prime Minister. The breakthrough comes after weeks of unrest marked by mass protests, violent clashes and a nationwide revolt against corruption and censorship. For many Nepalis, her appointment offers hope for change, yet doubts remain about whether this optimism will last.
Nepal’s social media ban
In 2023, the government mandated that all social media apps must register with the government and provide a local contact, warning that non-compliance would result in a ban. The government’s reasoning was to prevent hate speech, misinformation and cybercrime.
This year, in August, a seven-day notice was issued to social media platforms to register. Nevertheless, out of the large platforms, only TikTok obliged, resulting in 26 media apps being banned. This included apps such as WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook. Critics, however, viewed this as the government controlling the narrative to suppress opposition. (“Nepal moves to block Facebook, X, YouTube and others,” www.aljazeera.com, 4 September 2025; “Nepal bans Facebook and other major social media platforms over non-compliance,” www.kathumandupost.com, 4 September 2025)
Gen Z protests
A month later, on 8 September 2025, thousands of Gen Z activists, many still wearing their school and college uniforms, took to the streets to protest the government-implemented social media ban. At the forefront was Sudan Gurang, a former DJ, using his social media influence to bring thousands to the streets. (“DJ, rapper, climate activist: The many faces of Nepal’s leaderless Gen Z revolt,” www.indianexpress.com, 13 September 2025)
The march was to start from Matighar Mandal and proceed to the Parliament in Kathmandu, covering roughly two kilometres. It was planned as a short but symbolic march through the heart of the capital city. What started as a nonviolent and peaceful demonstration was seen by the government as complete defiance. This resulted in a disproportionate reaction, as reported by The Guardian:
“Police responded with deadly and allegedly indiscriminate force, firing live rounds of ammunition and teargas as well as hitting protesters with batons, rubber bullets and water cannon.” (“At least 19 killed in ‘gen Z’ protests against Nepal’s social media ban”, www.theguardian.com, 8 September 2025)
The death toll was reported as at least 72 people. ( “Nepal’s interim prime minister vows to hand over power in 6 months”, www.independent.co.uk, 14 September 2025) Yet, this did not fend off the protestors, but rather enraged them even more to break through barriers in order to storm the parliament and set fire to the gate. Protesters targeted government property and political leaders. The Parliament building, the Singha Durbar, which houses government ministries, and the Supreme Court were among the main sites attacked. The homes of former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli were set on fire, while vehicles parked at party offices were destroyed and several local businesses were looted. The Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel was stripped nearly naked and chased into a river by furious protesters. (“Nepal’s parliament set on fire after PM resigns over anti-corruption protests,” www.bbc.co.uk, 9 September 2025; “Naked Nepali minister chased into river by furious protesters,” www.intellinews.com, 11 September 2025)
Yet, the social media ban was not the primary reason for the public’s outcry. Nor was it the sole reason for further violent outbreaks in cities like Pokhara and Itahari. However, this was just the tipping point after years of corruption, unemployment and misgovernance.
The youth’s growing interest in politics
Over the years, the youth of Nepal have become increasingly invested in the country’s political state of affairs, with social media serving as the primary avenue for discussing such matters. Apps like WhatsApp, X, and Discord were used for this purpose. #NepoBabies and #NepoKids trended in Nepal, calling out the significant divide between the politician’s privileged children and the impoverished emerging youth of Nepal. In 2024, the youth unemployment rate was about 20%. (“Nepal: Youth unemployment”, www.theglobaleconomy.com) This resulted in many having to migrate from Nepal to find work in order to provide for their families. It is estimated that around 15,000 Nepalis went to Russia to fight on the frontline after just weeks of training. (“Russia has recruited as many as 15,000 Nepalis to fight its war. Many returned traumatized. Some never came back,” www.edition.cnn.com, 11 February 2024)
These protests were not the first time the public tried to make the government listen to their voice. Earlier this year, in March 2025, major pro-monarchy and anti-corruption protests were held in the capital city. (“Pro-monarchists welcome Nepal’s deposed King Gyanendra to Kathmandu,” www.aljazeera.com, 9 March 2025) They claimed the country had failed to be a republic and were calling for the monarchy, which was abolished on 28 May 2008, to be reinstated, as they were frustrated with the government. In 17 years as a federal democratic republic, Nepal has had 14 different governments, highlighting the unstable nature of Nepal’s politics. (“Nepal’s authoritarian king was ousted 19 years ago. Now many want the monarchy back,” www.edition.cnn.com, 9 March 2025)
The corruption of the Nepali government
Nepal has three major parties: the Nepali Congress (NC), the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist-Leninist (CPN-UML), and the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre). All have been involved in various scandals from the fake Bhutanese refugee scam in 2023 to the Melamchi drinking water project cost overruns. (“UML suspends Top Bahadur Rayamajhi,” www.theannapurnaexpress.com, 10 May 2023; “Nepal Shaken by Fake Bhutanese Refugee Scam,” www.foreignpolicy.com, 3 July 2023) The previous Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli was renowned for his involvement in corruption such as the Lalita Niwas Land Grab Scandal, where real estate in Kathmandu was illegally transferred from the state to politicians, bureaucrats and business people. When KP Sharma’s government administration failed to pursue top political figures, fingers were pointed at the Prime Minister for this failure.
Oli’s rule was marked by the stain that rules did not apply to the elite. Even as he promised anti-corruption reforms, many accused and believed his government of shielding allies. Alongside this, the government banned these 26 social media platforms, which were the primary avenues used for promoting tourism and helping Nepalis connect with family members who earned money abroad. This wasn’t received well, as 16% of Nepal’s population lives or works abroad, and a quarter of all Nepalis aged 20-35 are outside of the country. (“Brain gain into brain drain,” www.nepaltimes.com, 9 August 2024) This caused Gen Z activists to be pushed over the brink and led to such protests.
As a result of this uproar, the ban was lifted on 8 September 2025, leading to KP Sharma’s resignation as Prime Minister on 9 September 2025.
Are acts of violence ever justified in the struggle to be heard?
Now the question remains whether one should commit such atrocities, such as burning houses and looting businesses, to be heard? Or, should there be a better way? In Surah an-Nisa, Allah the Almighty states:
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ كُونُواْ قَوَّـٰمِينَ بِٱلۡقِسۡطِ شُهَدَآءَ لِلَّهِ وَلَوۡ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِكُمۡ أَوِ ٱلۡوَٰلِدَيۡنِ وَٱلۡأَقۡرَبِينَ
“O ye who believe! Be strict in observing justice, and be witnesses for Allah, even though it be against yourselves or against parents and kindred.” (Surah an-Nisa, Ch.4: V.136)
This shows that the basic principle of those in charge of the welfare of people is to be just, even if it means making a decision that may be against the best interest of your loved one. With a just society, starting from the top down, there is no room for corruption or nepotism, both of which the Nepalese government has been guilty of. Rather, it provides an equal ground for all to progress together.
However, taking matters into one’s own hands by transgressing the transgressor is never the way to progress. In Surah al-Hujrat, Allah the Almighty states:
فَاِنۡۢ بَغَتۡ اِحۡدٰٮہُمَا عَلَی الۡاُخۡرٰی فَقَاتِلُوا الَّتِیۡ تَبۡغِیۡ حَتّٰی تَفِیۡٓءَ اِلٰۤی اَمۡرِ اللّٰہِ ۚ فَاِنۡ فَآءَتۡ فَاَصۡلِحُوۡا بَیۡنَہُمَا بِالۡعَدۡلِ وَاَقۡسِطُوۡا
“If (a party) one of them should transgress against the other, fight the one that transgresses until it submits to the command of Allah. Then if it should so submit, make peace between them with equity, and act justly.” (Surah al-Hujurat, Ch.49: V.10)
This verse makes it clear that when a nation is being treated unjustly, other nations should intervene to stop the oppressor and strive to establish peace. This, of course, would not be in a physical way, but rather through diplomatic discussion. If other countries supported the people of Nepal and stood up for them, as per the Quranic commandment, such a situation would not take place. In any case, violence is never the answer.
This demonstrates that Islam offers the most effective guidance in this matter. It encourages moderation and addresses the root of the issue by promoting both the government and protesters to act justly and in the best interest of the country. It recognises that violence does not solve any issues and enjoins believers to uphold their dignity in the pursuit of justice.