On April 24, Nepal observed its 20th Democracy Day without the traditional greeting message from Prime Minister Balendra Shah.
In a departure from established protocol, the prime minister’s office remained silent. Instead, the Nepali Army issued a formal notice stating that its serious attention has been drawn to information and statements being circulated in various media and social networks that mention the Nepali Army and its leadership
.
“The Nepali Army and concerned bodies are regularly monitoring such unruly and anarchic activities, and it is reminded that individuals involved in such acts will be held accountable under prevailing law.” Nepali Army Statement
The military’s intervention follows a similar warning from the Ministry of Information and Communications. That agency notified the public that it had taken serious note of the publication and dissemination of baseless, false, and misleading information online
, adding that organizations or individuals responsible would be subject to strict action under prevailing laws
.
These developments come one month after Mr. Shah, 35, was sworn in as prime minister on March 27. His administration represents a seismic shift in Nepali politics, following a landslide victory for the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). The party secured 182 of the 275 seats in the House of Representatives, the most decisive electoral result in the country since 1959.
The RSP’s rise was propelled by the 2025 Gen Z protests, a youth-led uprising driven by anger over corruption and poor governance that eventually ousted former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli. Mr. Shah, a structural engineer and former rapper who served as the mayor of Kathmandu from 2022 to 2026, emerged as a symbol of this movement, campaigning on a platform of efficiency and a break from the traditional political elite.
However, since taking office, the administration’s focus on delivery and speed has coincided with a tightening of civic space. Observers note that the use of state security apparatuses to warn against social media content marks an assertive turn for the new government.
The RSP’s dominance in parliament provides the administration with nearly a two-thirds majority, granting Mr. Shah significant legislative power to execute his agenda. This mandate has allowed the government to move rapidly on policy, but the recent warnings from the army and the communications ministry suggest a lower tolerance for public dissent and digital criticism.
The Nepali Army and other concerned bodies continue to monitor social media and news networks for content they deem fabricated.
