Nepal Gen Z Uprising Ends PM Oli Tenure Amid Social Media Ban Chaos

In September 2025, Nepal experienced a significant uprising led primarily by its Gen-Z population in response to a government ban on 26 social media platforms, which was intended to suppress growing dissent. The ban backfired as protesters utilized decentralized technologies like the peer-to-peer messaging app Bitchat, developed by Jack Dorsey, to circumvent government censorship, forcing authorities to lift the ban shortly after. This digital resistance underscored the limitations governments face in controlling decentralized networks and highlighted the political power of young Nepalis amid high youth unemployment and systemic corruption. The movement reflected a broader global trend of Gen-Z activism, paralleling protests in countries like Chile, Colombia, and Sri Lanka, where young people challenge entrenched political and economic systems. The unrest culminated in the resignation of Nepal's Prime Minister K.P. Oli, with protestors taking over parliament buildings and demanding systemic change. These events have attracted international attention, influencing foreign policy discussions and spotlighting the role of youth and technology in modern political movements.