Nepalis protest against the government, resulting in chaos
After more than 29 people were killed in the social media riot over the ban across 26 common platforms, Nepal’s Prime Minister, Sharma Oli, has officially resigned. The ministers of Home, Agriculture, Water, and Health influenced his decision to resign. His decision to ban these 26 platforms was based on his assessment that they spread propaganda against Nepal.
His ban soon brought angry citizens to protest in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, who protested next to major government buildings. Most of the protesters were teenagers across the platforms, ranging in age from 13 to 28. They flooded the city and torched government buildings and the parliament. They wreaked havoc and destroyed important government figures, but none of that mattered anymore to them, with the risk of government consequences abolished. If there were no government, then no one could stop them. Among the destruction, angry Nepalis hung a One Piece flag (an anime show’s flag). The next day, due to all the repulse Oli received, the government revoked the ban. However, the protests continued, fueled by angry citizens.
The government’s delayed response to the situation has also brought up another major enmity against the wealth of politicians. Various posts across these social media platforms show higher-ranking government officials going on expensive vacations with their children. Most of their vacation expenses are government-funded, straight from taxpayers’ money.
Unemployment rates have since skyrocketed. According to the World Bank, these rates have significantly increased as of 2025. Social media secures most of these job openings, but with the ban, people cannot communicate effectively when discussing important matters such as job opportunities.
After the tirade of the angry Nepali, the government issued a curfew to settle things down. However, this effect was completely ignored, and they stormed toward the parliament at night. Gunfire shot through the air, and the Nepalese army stormed through the streets carrying various weapons. Although they fired live ammunition at the crowd, that was not enough to stop the barricade of people storming through the streets. The army also used massive water cannons to strike the crowd. In the end, 74 Nepalis were found dead, and 400+ soldiers and citizens were found in critical condition.
According to a protestor who asked not to be named out of fear of government retribution, “It was overwhelming to see such a huge turnout and the energy and anger of the people.” The Nepalese system has been slowly rotting away; minor tweaks and changes build up resentment against political figures like Sharma Oli.
Over the chaos, Nepal’s new prime minister, Sushila Karki, was surprisingly elected over a Discord server with over 50% of the votes cast in support. The Nepali are pushing for Karki to take the new lead of the Nepalese government. If the people of Nepal approve this idea, then she would become Nepal’s first-ever female to head the government.
