In a tragic escalation of unrest, at least 19 individuals have lost their lives, with many others injured during protests in Nepal against a controversial government ban on social media platforms. The demonstrations, largely led by youth identifying as Generation Z, drew thousands of participants to the streets near the parliament building in Kathmandu, voicing their discontent over the government’s decision to block access to popular sites such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube.
Protests turn violent amid government crackdown
Nepal’s Minister for Communication, Prithvi Subba, confirmed that law enforcement was compelled to utilize force—including water cannons, batons, and rubber bullets—to manage the escalating situation. The government has justified the ban by asserting the need to regulate social media to combat the spread of fake news, hate speech, and online fraud. However, platforms like Instagram boast millions of users in Nepal, who depend on these services for entertainment, news, and business-related communications.
Protesters displayed placards with messages such as “enough is enough” and “end to corruption,” articulating their frustrations not only towards the social media ban but also against the government’s perceived authoritarian stance. Tensions rose as demonstrators attempted to breach security barriers near the parliament, leading to violent confrontations with the police.
Curfew and military presence follow violent clashes
According to Shekhar Khanal, a spokesperson for the Kathmandu Valley Police, 17 fatalities occurred in the capital, with reports indicating that tear gas and water cannons were deployed after protesters entered a restricted area. A spokesperson from a Kathmandu district office confirmed the imposition of a curfew in areas surrounding the parliament following the clashes. Additionally, two individuals were reported dead in Itahari, a city in eastern Nepal, during protests that erupted after the curfew was announced.
In response to the unrest, Nepal Army Spokesman Rajaram Basnet revealed that a small contingent of soldiers has been stationed in the streets to restore order. Last week, the government mandated the blocking of 26 social media platforms that failed to comply with a registration deadline set by the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology. As a result, many users have struggled to access these platforms, although some have turned to VPNs as a workaround. Following this crackdown, two platforms have since been reactivated after fulfilling the registration requirements.
“We are not banning social media; we are ensuring they comply with Nepali law,”
the government asserted in its defense. In the meantime, dissent against the ban has gained traction on TikTok, which remains operational in Nepal despite the widespread restrictions on other platforms.