After 20 people were killed in massive Gen Z protests, Nepal lifted its social media ban

Following violent clashes between protesters and security forces that left at least 20 people dead and over 300 injured throughout the Himalayan nation, the KP Sharma Oli-led Nepali government announced late Monday that it had retracted its earlier decision to ban 26 social media platforms in response to pressure from Gen Zers.

Targeting not only the ban but also several accusations of corruption against Oli’s government, the internet protests turned into large-scale rallies outside Parliament in central Kathmandu and other places. Police opened fire during clashes between demonstrators and security personnel, killing many.

The decision to withdraw was made at an emergency Cabinet meeting, according to Prithvi Subba Gurung, Minister of Communication, Information, and Broadcasting.

The 26 prohibited services, including Facebook and X, were banned three days ago for not registering with Nepali authorities. The Ministry of Information has directed agencies to restore access to these platforms. After the ruling, Gurung encouraged the demonstrators to end their protests.

Three days ago, Facebook and X were banned for not registering with Nepali authorities; the Ministry of Information had directed agencies to restore access to the 26 blocked platforms. Gurung called on the demonstrators to cease their agitation after the ruling.

Thousands of young protesters, many in their school or college uniforms, flooded Kathmandu and other cities in what has been dubbed the ‘Gen Z Revolution’. Many breached restricted zones, breaking through police barricades. As the clashes escalated, police opened fire at multiple locations, prompting authorities to impose a curfew in the capital and dozens of other cities.

Nepal Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned amid the protests, citing moral responsibility, as demonstrations swelled beyond Kathmandu and spread to other cities. Protesters carried the national flag and placards with slogans such as “Shut down corruption and not social media”, “Unban social media”, and “Youths against corruption”, as they marched through Kathmandu and other cities.

Earlier, Oli remained firm on his government’s decision to ban social media, saying he would not bow down before “Gen Z troublemakers”. In the Cabinet meeting, Oli said the government’s decision was correct and directed all ministers to publicly support it.

Oli had even declared, saying, “Even if I have to step down as Prime Minister, I will not lift the ban on social media.”

Ministers from the Nepali Congress, who are part of the Oli government, demanded the removal of the ban. Angered by Oli’s rigid stance, Nepali Congress ministers staged a walkout from the Cabinet meeting.

As the situation became more unstable in the early hours of the day, the government issued a curfew order that included the Parliament area and other important areas of the capital. An alarm was issued in the border districts of neighboring Uttar Pradesh, and a curfew was enforced at the Bhairahawa border near India.

Suhana, an eyewitness, questioned the idea that Gen Zers are the only ones driving the current protests in Nepal in an interview with India Today TV. She claims that the campaign unites individuals of all ages, from millennials to even baby boomers, who share concerns that go beyond the social media prohibition.

“The protest is an outpouring of resentment about the country’s corruption and poor governance. “A broader civil rights movement calling for accountability and change has grown out of the protest,” she said.

The Nepal Army was deployed to enforce law and order in protest-hit areas of Kathmandu, a government spokesperson was quoted as saying by Reuters. By Monday night, the situation was largely under control, with most protesters returning home. However, authorities remain on alert as there are chances that demonstrators could return to the streets on Tuesday.

According to a government spokesperson cited by Reuters, the Nepal Army was sent to maintain law and order in protest-stricken areas of Kathmandu. By Monday evening, the situation was mostly under control, with the majority of protesters going home, but authorities are still on guard because there is a possibility that protesters may reengage on Tuesday.

The Gen Z-led movement was ignited by the government’s decision on September 4 to block 26 social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, and YouTube, for failing to register with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.

On September 4, the government decided to prohibit 26 social media sites, including Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, and Twitter, for not registering with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. This decision sparked the Gen Z-led campaign.

Protesters saw the prohibition as an outright act of censorship intended to silence organized dissent and critical voices, even though the administration insisted it was necessary for regulatory compliance.

The administration defended the prohibition as a question of regulatory compliance, but demonstrators saw it as an outright censorship attempt to silence organized dissent and critical voices.

Gen Z activists used alternative networks like TikTok and Reddit to mobilize in defiance of government-imposed phone and internet restrictions. Thousands of young people gathered to protest the administration and its policies while screaming anti-government slogans. The march began at Maitighar Mandala and advanced towards the Parliament building.

Police set up barricades as the demonstrators approached Parliament, but the angry mob broke through, forcing cops to use water cannons and tear gas. Some protestors were able to enter the Parliament compound despite the turmoil.

When demonstrators approached Parliament, police set up barricades, but the angry mob broke through, forcing officers to use water cannons and tear gas. Amidst the confusion, a few demonstrators were able to enter the Parliament building.

One of the Parliament’s gates was vandalized and set on fire by protesters; images taken from the location showed dense black smoke rising from the area. A man was observed leaping from the wall close to the gate just before the smoke started to rise.

One of the Parliament’s gates was vandalized by protesters, who then set it on fire. Images taken from the scene showed dense black smoke rising from the location. Just before the smoke started to rise, a man was spotted leaping from the wall close to the gate.

Referred to as the ‘Gen Z Revolution,’ experts contend that the movement is the result of long-simmering resentment over economic disparity and corruption. The last straw was the government’s decision to impose social media restrictions, which led Nepal’s tech-savvy youth to stage a daring and well-coordinated act of defiance by taking to the streets.

The ministry said in a notice that social media businesses have seven days starting on August 28 to register. However, none of the major platforms—including Reddit, LinkedIn, X (previously Twitter), Alphabet (YouTube), Meta (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp), and others—submitted applications even after the deadline ended on Wednesday night.