Nepal Unrest: KP Oli's One Mistake And The Chinese App Link In Gen-Z Protests

Last Updated:September 10, 2025, 14:35 IST

Experts suggest that TikTok played a decisive role in uniting protesters, and some argue that banning the app might have triggered an even more explosive backlash

The Nepali Army has assumed control of the capital, with the Army Chief publicly urging demonstrators to maintain calm. (PTI Photo)

Nepal witnessed an unprecedented political upheaval this week, as Gen Z-led protests escalated into chaos, forcing Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to resign within just 48 hours of unrest. What began as demonstrations against the government’s ban on social media platforms turned into a nationwide movement, with young protesters, largely between the ages of 20 and 30, storming institutions, torching symbols of power, and clashing with security forces.

By Tuesday evening, the turmoil had reached its peak. Parliament House in Kathmandu was set ablaze, while smoke was seen billowing near Tribhuvan International Airport, prompting authorities to suspend flight operations. Singh Darbar, the historic Central Secretariat, was also engulfed in flames. Protesters, enraged by the social media ban, targeted residences of several senior leaders, including Oli himself.

The Nepali Army has since assumed control of the capital, with the Army Chief publicly urging demonstrators to maintain calm. Yet, despite the imposition of a curfew, sporadic clashes continued to be reported across Kathmandu.

The trigger for this eruption lay in the Oli government’s decision to block nearly all major social media platforms, including Facebook, X, and YouTube. The ban ignited anger among youth who poured onto the streets on Monday. The situation escalated dramatically when police opened fire on demonstrators, killing at least 21 people and injuring more than 250. That violence, described by many as a turning point, “acted as fuel to the fire". Crowds began chanting, “Stop ban on social media, stop corruption, not social media."

A striking aspect of the government’s ban was the exclusion of TikTok. While 26 platforms were restricted, TikTok, China-owned and widely popular among Nepali youth, remained accessible. According to the Associated Press, the app had agreed to comply with Nepal’s new regulatory requirements by establishing a local liaison office. TikTok had earlier been banned in 2023 for “disturbing social harmony" and spreading explicit content, but the suspension was lifted after the company promised adherence to Nepali laws.

Citing the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), The Times of India reported that TikTok carries a unique political weight in Nepal. Between 2016 and 2024, youth aged 16 to 24 mobilised campaigns on the platform advocating for the return of monarchy and ‘Hindu Rashtra’, the state abolished in 2008. ORF noted that the decision not to ban TikTok reflected the app’s centrality in political activism.

Nepal’s economic backdrop adds further depth to this crisis. With youth unemployment hovering at 20% last year, and nearly 2,000 young Nepalis leaving the country daily in search of work, TikTok has evolved beyond entertainment into a digital space for dissent, mobilisation, and political voice. Experts suggest that TikTok played a decisive role in uniting protesters, and some argue that banning the app might have triggered an even more explosive backlash.

Observers also point to geopolitical undercurrents. On August 30, Oli met Chinese President Xi Jinping during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin. While describing Nepal as a “peace-loving neighbour", Xi pledged deeper Belt and Road cooperation. Oli, in turn, reiterated his commitment to the “One China Policy" and assured that Nepal would not be used for anti-China activities. Analysts believe that sparing TikTok, China’s digital export, was tied to these strategic overtures.

News world Nepal Unrest: KP Oli's One Mistake And The Chinese App Link In Gen-Z Protests

Read More