Nepal lifts ban on social media platforms after 19 killed in protests

The Nepali government has lifted a ban on 26 social media platforms after protests against it on Monday turned violent, leading to the deaths of 19 persons in clashes with security forces, the BBC reported.

More than 100 protesters were injured in the clashes. The demonstrations had been dubbed as a protest by “Gen Z”, generally referring to persons born between 1995 and 2010.

Communications and Information Technology Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung on Tuesday told Reuters that the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) government led by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli had rolled back the ban.

“The government has already decided to open social media by addressing the demand of Gen-Z,” NDTV quoted Gurung as saying after an emergency Cabinet meeting.

The minister, however, said that the government did not regret its decision to shut the platforms down. “Since protests were being staged using this issue as a pretext, the decision has been taken to reopen social media sites,” he said, and urged the demonstrators to call off the protest.

The Nepali government had banned 26 social media platforms, including Facebook, X and YouTube, on Thursday, saying they had failed to register with the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology.

The move followed a Supreme Court order in August that required all platforms to register before operating so authorities could monitor “unwanted content”.

On Monday, protesters in Kathmandu tried to storm parliament. Some briefly entered a restricted area, prompting police to fire tear gas, water cannons, rubber bullets and live ammunition, according to the Kathmandu Post.

Several students in school and college uniforms had joined the protest, shouting slogans such as “Shut down corruption and not social media” and “Youths against corruption”, Reuters reported.

Police said similar protests were reported in Biratnagar, Bharatpur and Pokhara.

During the day, the prime minister said that he was “deeply saddened” by the violence and the deaths, blaming the events on “infiltration by various vested interest groups”, BBC reported.

Oli said that the government would set up a committee to investigate the protests, adding that financial relief would also be offered to victims and free treatment to those injured.

In the evening, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak had tendered his resignation after criticism surrounding the government’s use of force during the protests, BBC reported.

The situation in Kathmandu and several districts remained tense on the second day of the protests on Tuesday, The Kathmandu Post reported. Curfew orders were imposed in several areas across Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur districts to contain the unrest.

However, youth gathered in several areas to protest government suppression despite the curfew.

Protesters set fire to the Nepali Congress party office in the Senapa area, PTI reported.

Gurung’s home in Lalitpur was also set on fire and stones were hurled at the Bhaisepati residence of Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel, The Kathmandu Post reported. Lekhak’s residence was attacked as well.

Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Ramnath Adhikari resigned from his post, citing the government’s response during the demonstrations a day earlier.

Amid the agitation, the prime minister on Tuesday called an all-party meeting at 6 pm, The Kathmandu Post reported.

“I am saddened by Monday’s protests in the capital and across the country and the subsequent incidents,” the newspaper quoted Oli as saying in a statement. “No form of violence serves the nation’s interest, and we must pursue a peaceful and dialogue-based solution.”

The prime minister also said that he was in talks with all relevant parties to assess the situation and arrive at a meaningful conclusion.

The ban on social media platforms had triggered criticism of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) government.

The Opposition Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) had earlier described the ban as “objectionable” and warned that shutting down social media could throw the country into disarray.

Exercise caution, MEA urges Indians in Nepal

India’s Ministry of External Affairs stated on Tuesday that New Delhi was “closely monitoring the developments in Nepal” and expressed sadness about the killings during the protests.

It also asked Indian nationals to “exercise caution and adhere to the steps and guidelines issued by the Nepali authorities”.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with families of deceased,” said the ministry. “We also wish speedy recovery for those who were injured.”

It added that “as a close friend and neighbour”, New Delhi hoped that all sides would exercise restraint and would “address any issues through peaceful means and dialogue”.