Nepal’s Worst Unrest in Decades Leaves 19 Dead Amid Social Media Ban 🚫
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The immediate trigger for the protests was the government’s sudden move to ban several major social media platforms — including Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube — citing the companies’ failure to officially register their operations in Nepal. Protesters, most of them young and self-identified as “Gen Z,” accused the government of censorship and demanded the immediate reversal of the ban.
Chaos in Kathmandu💥
The protests quickly escalated into clashes between demonstrators and police. According to eyewitness accounts, crowds broke through security barricades and forced their way into the parliament complex. Protesters reportedly set fire to an ambulance and hurled stones and makeshift projectiles at the heavily armed riot police guarding the legislature.
One protester told ANI news agency:
“The police were firing indiscriminately. A bullet missed me but struck my friend, who was standing just behind me. He was hit in the hand.”
Nepal Police spokesperson Binod Ghimire confirmed that 17 people died in Kathmandu alone as clashes spread across different parts of the city. In addition, two protesters were killed in Sunsari district, located in eastern Nepal, when police opened fire to disperse crowds.
The fatalities included a 12-year-old child, making Monday the deadliest single day of political violence in Nepal since the 2006 People’s Movement, which led to the fall of King Gyanendra and the abolition of the monarchy. Police officials added that over 100 individuals were injured, among them at least 28 police personnel who required medical treatment.
Government in Crisis🏛️
The political fallout was immediate. Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned late Monday, taking what he described as “moral responsibility” for the government’s handling of the protests and the resulting bloodshed. His resignation was confirmed by another senior cabinet member who declined to be named.
Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, facing the most serious challenge of his fourth term in office, convened an emergency cabinet meeting to discuss the spiraling crisis. Oli, who was sworn in again last year, is under mounting criticism for failing to curb corruption, revive the economy, and provide stability in a country that has seen 14 governments since 2008, none of which completed a full five-year term.
Anger on the Streets✊
The protests were notable for their youth-led character. Many demonstrators carried national flags and waved placards with slogans such as:
- “Shut down corruption, not social media.”
- “Unban social media now.”
- “Youths against corruption.”
Organizers described the unrest as “demonstrations by Gen Z”, saying the movement reflects widespread frustration among Nepal’s younger generation over entrenched corruption, limited job opportunities, and what they see as government indifference toward their future.
“This is a protest by the new generation of Nepal,” one participant declared, calling the movement a turning point in the country’s politics.
International human rights organizations have also weighed in. Human Rights Watch urged the Oli government to avoid treating the demonstrations merely as a law enforcement problem, warning that the protests are an outpouring of genuine frustration over corruption, nepotism, and poor governance.
The Social Media Ban📵
The violence comes amid the government’s broader push to regulate social media companies through new legislation, which officials claim is intended to ensure platforms are “properly managed, responsible, and accountable.” Critics, however, argue the bill is nothing more than a tool for censorship and a means to silence political dissent online.
According to government statements, foreign social media firms were repeatedly ordered to formally register their operations in Nepal. Those that failed — including Facebook, YouTube, and X — were blocked last week. Other platforms, such as TikTok and Viber, complied with the registration rules and continue to operate normally.
Officials defended the move as necessary to protect national security, curb misinformation, and safeguard users. But activists counter that the ban infringes on free expression and isolates Nepal’s youth from global digital networks.
Nationwide Protests and Military Deployment
Protests were not limited to Kathmandu. Demonstrations also erupted in Biratnagar and Pokhara, where thousands rallied against both corruption and the social media ban.
In Kathmandu, authorities deployed water cannons, batons, rubber bullets, and even the army to protect parliament and restore order. By late evening, violence had subsided, though many protesters continued to occupy areas outside the legislature, vowing to keep pressure on the government.
A Nation in Turmoil🌪️
Nepal has been plagued by political instability since it abolished its 239-year-old monarchy in 2008. The country has struggled to maintain democratic stability, with frequent changes of government, chronic corruption, and deepening economic challenges.
The Oli government has argued that the economy is gradually recovering thanks to corrective measures. However, with rising youth unemployment, inflation, and public anger at rampant corruption, critics insist that economic hardship remains a driving force behind the unrest.
The events of Monday — with 19 dead, over 100 injured, and a government reeling from mass youth-led demonstrations — underscore just how fragile Nepal’s democracy remains. Observers warn that unless the government addresses the underlying grievances of young people, Nepal could see a new wave of political upheaval.
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