Thousands Rally Across Nepal Against Corruption, Urge PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal to Resign
Social media platforms like as Facebook, WhatsApp and X came back into operation in Nepal on Monday night after violent protests by the young against a government ban left at least 19 people dead and more than 300 wounded.
Due to their refusal to register with the authorities, 26 social media platforms were banned on Friday. Massive demonstrations shook Kathmandu on Monday when hundreds of young people, including schoolchildren, gathered under the ‘Gen Z’ flag to demonstrate in front of the Parliament. They yelled anti-government chants and demanded that the ban be immediately lifted.
As protesters, many of whom are young, accuse the present administration of widespread corruption, large-scale protests have broken out throughout Nepal. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal is being called upon to resign by protesters, who claim that the country’s leadership has failed and needs to be changed.
Nepal Government Lifts Social Media Ban After Deadly Protests
Kathmandu: Nepal’s government has lifted its controversial ban on 26 social media platforms and messaging apps, including Facebook, WhatsApp, and X, after violent clashes left at least 19 people dead and more than 100 injured in the capital on Monday.
The announcement came just hours after thousands of young demonstrators—part of the growing “Gen Z” protest movement—marched towards the parliament complex in Kathmandu, demanding an end to the ban and the resignation of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal over alleged corruption.
“We have withdrawn the shutdown of social media. They are working now,”
said Communications Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung, confirming the rollback.
Protests Fueled by Anger and Frustration
For days, thousands of students and young Nepalese citizens have taken to the streets, saying the government is silencing voices instead of addressing corruption and unemployment.
“We are protesting against corruption that has been institutionalised in Nepal,” said Yujan Rajbhandari, a 24-year-old student and one of the demonstrators.
Violence in Kathmandu
The protests escalated dramatically on Monday when crowds stormed the parliament complex, breaking through barricades and setting an ambulance on fire. Security forces responded with water cannons, batons, and rubber bullets, while the army was deployed and a curfew imposed across the capital.
What’s Next?
While the restoration of social media platforms has calmed some tensions, the larger demands for accountability and leadership change remain unresolved. Analysts warn that Nepal’s crisis could deepen if the government fails to address the protesters’ grievances.
Amnesty Slams Nepal for Use of Live Ammunition as Protests Intensify
Kathmandu: Rights watchdog Amnesty International has condemned the use of live ammunition by Nepal’s security forces, saying it led to deaths and serious injuries among protesters.
“Law enforcement agencies must only use force where absolutely necessary, and it must be strictly proportionate to the legitimate aim sought to be achieved,” Amnesty said in a statement.
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli expressed sorrow over the violence, blaming “infiltration from different selfish centres” for escalating tensions. He announced the formation of a government inquiry committee to investigate the clashes, alongside relief for families of the dead and free medical treatment for the injured.
Protesters Raise Their Voices
Demonstrators marched with placards reading “Shut down corruption, not social media,” “Unban social media,” and “Youths against corruption.”
Student Ikshama Tumrok, 20, said she was protesting against what she called the government’s “authoritarian attitude.”
Many in the crowd waved a flag from the Japanese manga One Piece, which has become a global symbol of resistance against shrinking democratic freedoms—also recently seen in protests in Indonesia.
The Social Media Ban That Sparked Anger
The unrest follows the government’s order last month requiring social media companies to register within seven days under new rules, including appointing a local grievance officer and compliance representative.
Major platforms—including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, Snapchat, Pinterest, X, and Tencent—missed the deadline and were blocked.
Authorities argued the ban was needed to curb fake IDs, hate speech, fraud, and misinformation. However, critics say the move was an attempt to silence dissent.
Nepal has a history of platform bans. The Telegram app was briefly blocked in July, while TikTok faced a nine-month ban, lifted last year only after it agreed to comply with government regulations.
FAQ: Nepal Protests and Social Media Ban
Q1. Why were social media platforms banned in Nepal?
The Nepali government banned 26 platforms, including Facebook, WhatsApp, and X, on Friday after they refused to register with authorities. Officials cited regulatory concerns, but critics say it was an attempt to curb free expression.
Q2. When were the platforms restored?
The platforms were restored on Monday night after massive protests turned violent, leaving at least 19 people dead and over 300 injured.
Q3. Who is leading the protests?
The protests are being led largely by young people, including school and college students, who rallied under the “Gen Z” banner outside Parliament in Kathmandu.
Q4. What are the protesters demanding?
Protesters are demanding two main things:
Immediate reversal of the social media ban.
Resignation of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal over alleged corruption and failure of governance.
Q5. How widespread are the protests?
While Kathmandu has seen the largest demonstrations, protests have spread to other parts of Nepal as anger against the government grows.
Q6. How has the government responded?
The government imposed curfews and deployed security forces, but the intensity of protests has forced authorities to restore banned platforms. Calls for the Prime Minister’s resignation, however, remain unresolved.
Q7. Why is this being called a ‘Gen Z movement’?
Because the protests are dominated by younger citizens—many of them school and university students—who are particularly dependent on social media for communication and activism.
Q8. What’s next for Nepal’s political crisis?
The restoration of platforms may ease some tensions, but with protesters demanding leadership change, the political crisis is far from over. Pressure on Prime Minister Dahal is likely to intensify.
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