Kathmandu: Large protests erupted in the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu, and other cities across Nepal on September 8, 2025. An official count released that day reported at least 19 people were killed, with 17 deaths occurring in Kathmandu alone, as police dispersed the demonstrators. The political fallout was swift, with several Nepalese ministers, including Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli, resigning the following day. In the ensuing chaos, the parliament building was set ablaze, and homes and party offices were looted. The government reported on September 14 that at least 72 people had been killed in two days of protests, while 191 individuals were still recovering in hospitals.
According to France24.com, a significant number of videos circulated on social media, showing individuals who had been seriously wounded or killed by gunfire from security forces. The protests were initially triggered by the government's announcement on September 4 to shut down around 20 social media platforms, a move perceived as an attempt at censorship. This decision followed a ruling by the Nepalese Supreme Court in late August requiring social media platforms to nominate local representatives—a condition met only by a few platforms like TikTok and Viber before the deadline, leading to Facebook, X, and YouTube being blocked.
Meenakshi Ganguly, the deputy director of Human Rights Watch's Asia Division, explained that while the social media ban was the immediate trigger, the protests were a broader reflection of public discontent over issues such as corruption and unemployment. The World Bank estimated in 2024 that the unemployment rate among young Nepalis aged 15 to 24 was 20.8%, contributing to the unrest.
Sunil, a protest organizer, emphasized that the September 8 protest was intended to be peaceful, involving youths and Gen Z members gathering without violence or political party involvement. However, eyewitness accounts, including those of Nepalese journalist Sahana Vajracharya, described how police escalated their response with water cannons, tear gas, and eventually live ammunition as protesters approached the parliament.
Videos shared online, first appearing on TikTok, depicted graphic scenes of injured individuals, many with wounds to their heads or torsos. Human Rights Watch confirmed that the use of live ammunition by police violated legal standards for crowd control, as they should aim to minimize harm.
The use of military-grade ammunition, reportedly 7.62x51 mm calibre, raised concerns about its appropriateness for maintaining public order. Kamal, an economics student, recounted the tragic loss of his friend, who was shot in the chest during the protest.
On September 9, the situation escalated further as protesters clashed with security forces, resulting in additional casualties. The government imposed a curfew, and the army assumed control of Kathmandu by September 10. The police reported that three officers were killed, and around 100 were wounded during the unrest.
The UN has called for a prompt investigation into the deaths, emphasizing that freedom of expression, access to information, and peaceful assembly are fundamental rights under Nepalese and international law.