Through the Lens: Nepal’s protests over corruption, social media ban
A selection of striking photos from across Asia
SEPTEMBER 11, 2025
Protests in Nepal over a government decision to block access to some social media platforms led to clashes with police on Sept. 8, with 19 people being killed. The ban was lifted on Sept. 9 and Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned later that day.
Sept. 8
Nepal riot police use a water cannon on protesters outside the parliament in Kathmandu on Sept. 8. (Photo by Niranjan Shrestha/AP)
Nepal riot police use a water cannon on protesters outside the parliament in Kathmandu on Sept. 8. (Photo by Niranjan Shrestha/AP)
Demonstrators gather near the Parliament in Kathmandu. The skull and crossbones images are from “One Piece.” The Japanese manga’s main characters fight corrupt authorities, and the symbol has also been used in recent protests in Indonesia. (Photo by Abhishek Maharjan/AP)
Demonstrators gather near the Parliament in Kathmandu. The skull and crossbones images are from “One Piece.” The Japanese manga’s main characters fight corrupt authorities, and the symbol has also been used in recent protests in Indonesia. (Photo by Abhishek Maharjan/AP)
Thousands of young people across Nepal rally against the government's social media ban and widespread corruption on Sept. 8. (Photo by Sanjit Pariyar/Getty Images)
Thousands of young people across Nepal rally against the government's social media ban and widespread corruption on Sept. 8. (Photo by Sanjit Pariyar/Getty Images)
Demonstrators surmount a barricade during a protest against corruption and social media bans in Kathmandu on Sept. 8. (Photo by Abhishek Maharjan/AP)
Demonstrators surmount a barricade during a protest against corruption and social media bans in Kathmandu on Sept. 8. (Photo by Abhishek Maharjan/AP)
A riot police officer is taken to the hospital after being injured during a protest outside the parliament in Kathmandu on Sept. 8. (Photo by Navesh Chitrakar/Reuters)
A riot police officer is taken to the hospital after being injured during a protest outside the parliament in Kathmandu on Sept. 8. (Photo by Navesh Chitrakar/Reuters)
Protestors defy a curfew in Nepal while protesting against corruption and the government’s decision to block several social media platforms in Kathmandu on Sept. 8. (Photo by Subaas Shrestha/Getty Images)
Protestors defy a curfew in Nepal while protesting against corruption and the government’s decision to block several social media platforms in Kathmandu on Sept. 8. (Photo by Subaas Shrestha/Getty Images)
Protestors known as the Gen Z group hold a candlelight protest against corruption and the government's ban on social media platforms in Phidim, Panchthar, Nepal, on Sept. 8. (Photo by Ambir Tolang/Getty Images)
Protestors known as the Gen Z group hold a candlelight protest against corruption and the government's ban on social media platforms in Phidim, Panchthar, Nepal, on Sept. 8. (Photo by Ambir Tolang/Getty Images)
Sept. 9
A man hangs a flag from the Japanese manga “One Piece” as smoke and flames rise from various government offices in Kathmandu on Sept. 9. (Photo by Sunil Pradhan/Getty Images)
A man hangs a flag from the Japanese manga “One Piece” as smoke and flames rise from various government offices in Kathmandu on Sept. 9. (Photo by Sunil Pradhan/Getty Images)
A protester celebrates at the seat of Nepal's various government ministries and offices in Kathmandu after it was set on fire during a protest on Sept. 9. (Photo by Niranjan Shrestha/AP)
A protester celebrates at the seat of Nepal's various government ministries and offices in Kathmandu after it was set on fire during a protest on Sept. 9. (Photo by Niranjan Shrestha/AP)
Police officers walk alongside protesters in Nepal during a protest on Sept. 9. (Photo by Bibek Raj Giri/Getty Images)
Police officers walk alongside protesters in Nepal during a protest on Sept. 9. (Photo by Bibek Raj Giri/Getty Images)
Police officers in riot gear stand guard outside the parliament in Kathmandu during a curfew following a protest against corruption and the government’s decision to block several social media platforms on Sept. 9. (Photo by Navesh Chitrakar/Reuters)
Police officers in riot gear stand guard outside the parliament in Kathmandu during a curfew following a protest against corruption and the government’s decision to block several social media platforms on Sept. 9. (Photo by Navesh Chitrakar/Reuters)
Demonstrators celebrate after entering Nepal’s parliament complex during a protest against Monday's killing of 19 people after anti-corruption protests that were triggered by a social media ban, which was later lifted, in Kathmandu on Sept. 9. (Photo by Adnan Abidi/Reuters)
Demonstrators celebrate after entering Nepal’s parliament complex during a protest against Monday's killing of 19 people after anti-corruption protests that were triggered by a social media ban, which was later lifted, in Kathmandu on Sept. 9. (Photo by Adnan Abidi/Reuters)
Demonstrators vandalize the complex that houses the Nepal prime minister's office and other ministries after storming in during a protest in Kathmandu on Sept. 9. (Photo by Bikram Rai/Reuters)
Demonstrators vandalize the complex that houses the Nepal prime minister's office and other ministries after storming in during a protest in Kathmandu on Sept. 9. (Photo by Bikram Rai/Reuters)
A protester draped in Nepal's national flag sets fire to a government vehicle in Pokhara, Nepal, on Sept. 9. (Photo by Yunish Gurung/Getty Images)
A protester draped in Nepal's national flag sets fire to a government vehicle in Pokhara, Nepal, on Sept. 9. (Photo by Yunish Gurung/Getty Images)
Protesters take selfies and celebrate at the Singha Durbar, the seat of various ministries and government offices, after it was set on fire, in Kathmandu on Sept. 9. (Photo by Niranjan Shrestha/AP)
Protesters take selfies and celebrate at the Singha Durbar, the seat of Nepal's government's various ministries and offices, after it was set on fire during a protest against social media ban and corruption in Kathmandu, Nepal on Sept. 9, 2025. (Photo by Niranjan Shrestha/AP)
People celebrate and take pictures after occupying Nepal’s parliament complex in Kathmandu on Sept. 9. (Photo by Sunil Pradhan/Getty Images)
People celebrate and take pictures after occupying Nepal’s parliament complex in Kathmandu on Sept. 9. (Photo by Sunil Pradhan/Getty Images)
A portrait of Nepal’s Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli is thrown into a fire at the seat of Nepal's various government ministries and offices during a protest in Kathmandu on Sept. 9. (Photo by Niranjan Shrestha/AP)
A portrait of Nepal’s Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli is thrown into a fire at the seat of Nepal's various government ministries and offices during a protest in Kathmandu on Sept. 9. (Photo by Niranjan Shrestha/AP)
A demonstrator writes on the parliament building in Kathmandu on Sept. 9. (Photo by Adnan Abidi/Reuters)
A demonstrator writes on the parliament building in Kathmandu on Sept. 9. (Photo by Adnan Abidi/Reuters)
Demonstrators celebrate at the parliament complex in Kathmandu during a protest on Sept. 9. (Photo by Adnan Abidi/Reuters)
Demonstrators celebrate at the parliament complex in Kathmandu during a protest on Sept. 9. (Photo by Adnan Abidi/Reuters)
Demonstrators celebrate at the parliament complex in Kathmandu on Sept. 9. (Photo by Adnan Abidi/Reuters)
Demonstrators celebrate at the parliament complex in Kathmandu on Sept. 9. (Photo by Adnan Abidi/Reuters)
Documents fly as demonstrators gather at the Kathmandu office complex that houses the prime minister's office and other ministries after storming in during a protest on Sept. 9. (Photo by Bikram Rai/Reuters)
Documents fly as demonstrators gather at the Kathmandu office complex that houses the prime minister's office and other ministries after storming in during a protest on Sept. 9. (Photo by Bikram Rai/Reuters)
Flames rise from the burning office complex that houses the Nepali prime minister's office and other ministries in Kathmandu on Sept. 9. (Photo by Navesh Chitrakar/Reuters)
Flames rise from the burning office complex that houses the Nepali prime minister's office and other ministries in Kathmandu on Sept. 9. (Photo by Navesh Chitrakar/Reuters)
Smoke rises from several government buildings, including the parliament building, center, in Kathmandu on Sept. 9. (Photo by Ambir Tolang/Getty Images)
Smoke rises from several government buildings, including the parliament building, center, in Kathmandu on Sept. 9. (Photo by Ambir Tolang/Getty Images)
Sept. 10
Smoke rises from the Hilton Kathmandu hotel on Sept. 10. (Photo by Navesh Chitrakar/Reuters)
Smoke rises from the Hilton Kathmandu hotel on Sept. 10. (Photo by Navesh Chitrakar/Reuters)
Firefighters from the Nepali Armed Police Force work to extinguish a fire at the Bhat-Bhateni department store in Kathmandu on Sept. 10. (Photo by Navesh Chitrakar/Reuters)
Firefighters from the Nepali Armed Police Force work to extinguish a fire at the Bhat-Bhateni department store in Kathmandu on Sept. 10. (Photo by Navesh Chitrakar/Reuters)
A burned vehicle stands in front of the Kathmandu office complex that houses the prime minister's office and other ministries on Sept. 10. (Photo by Navesh Chitrakar/Reuters)
A burned vehicle stands in front of the Kathmandu office complex that houses the prime minister's office and other ministries on Sept. 10. (Photo by Navesh Chitrakar/Reuters)
Nepali Army soldiers patrol inside the Parliament building in Kathmandu on Sept. 10. The building was set on fire by protesters following deadly anti-corruption protests on Sept. 8 that were triggered by a social media ban. (Photo by Adnan Abidi/Reuters)
Nepali Army soldiers patrol inside the Parliament building in Kathmandu on Sept. 10. The building was set on fire by protesters following deadly anti-corruption protests on Sept. 8 that were triggered by a social media ban. (Photo by Adnan Abidi/Reuters)