On September 10, Nepal became the focus of global attention following large-scale protests that led to the government’s resignation and military intervention. The trigger was a government ban on social media platforms Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. The official reason cited was content regulation, but for young people, this represented censorship and led to street demonstrations.
The protests quickly spread from Kathmandu to other cities, escalating into widespread riots. Protesters demanded an end to corruption, greater government transparency, and economic reforms. The social media ban was only the spark—unemployment among youth, low living standards, and reliance on tourism and remittances had fueled discontent for years.
By September 8, demonstrations had turned chaotic as protesters stormed parliament, police used force, and 19 people lost their lives. Although the government reversed the social media ban, Prime Minister Oli resigned. The unrest continued as government buildings were set on fire and the army began patrolling the streets. President Paudel called for dialogue, but unrest persisted.
The root causes include corruption, economic stagnation, poverty, and large-scale emigration. Nepal has become an arena for geopolitical interests of China and India. Both Beijing and New Delhi issued cautious statements but increased activity at borders and in diplomatic channels. The United States maintained official neutrality, but rumors suggest indirect influence.
Possible scenarios for the future include dialogue and government reforms, anarchy, foreign intervention, or even a return to monarchy. The most likely outcome is a protracted political and economic crisis. For Ukraine, these events show how internal issues can turn into chaos, with youth as key drivers of change.
