After 19 Deaths, Nepal Withdraws Social Media Ban

Kathmandu: Nepal’s government scrapped a contentious ban on 26 social media platforms, including Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, after violent protests left at least 19 dead and over 100 injured.

The decision followed an emergency cabinet meeting late Monday, triggered by escalating unrest from young demonstrators demanding the ban’s repeal and an end to systemic corruption.

On Monday, thousands of youths stormed Kathmandu’s parliament building and rallied in towns across Nepal, decrying the social media restrictions and what they called the government’s authoritarian grip. Protesters wielded signs proclaiming “Enough is Enough” and “End Corruption,” with some pelting stones at Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s home in Damak.

Communications and Information Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung confirmed the ban’s reversal, citing the need to address the demands of Nepal’s “Gen Z” activists. The platforms, vital for millions in Nepal for news, entertainment, and business, were blocked last week for failing to register with the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology.

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The government had justified the move as a crackdown on fake news, hate speech, and online fraud.

Demonstrators, however, viewed the ban as a symptom of deeper issues. Some protesters claimed that while the social media curbs ignited the protests, the real fight was against corruption.

A viral “nepo kid” campaign has recently spotlighted the opulent lifestyles of politicians’ children, allegedly fueled by corrupt funds.

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Police in Kathmandu deployed water cannons, batons, and rubber bullets to quell the protests, sparking widespread condemnation. Prime Minister Oli, expressing sorrow over the bloodshed, blamed “vested interest groups” for the violence and announced a probe into the unrest, alongside financial aid for victims and free treatment for the injured.

Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak stepped down Monday evening following fierce criticism over the heavy-handed response. The government insisted the social media restrictions were meant to enforce compliance with Nepali laws, not to silence users.