Nepal Lifts Social Media Ban After Gen Z Anti-Corruption Protests Leave 19 Dead

Nepal lifts social media ban following a wave of violent anti-corruption protests led by Gen Z that claimed 19 lives and left more than 100 injured across Kathmandu and other cities. The decision came after nationwide outrage over the government’s move to block popular platforms, sparking the largest youth-led demonstrations in years.

Government Backtracks Amid Deadly Protests

Communications and Information Technology Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung announced the withdrawal of the ban after an emergency cabinet meeting. He confirmed that access to Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp, Snapchat, Pinterest, X (formerly Twitter), and other platforms had been restored.

“The government has already decided to open social media by addressing the demand of Gen Z,” Gurung said, while appealing to young protesters to call off their demonstrations.

Despite lifting the ban, Gurung defended the government’s earlier decision, claiming that the shutdown was intended to curb misuse, including hate speech, fraud, and fake accounts.

Curfew Imposed in Kathmandu

Authorities responded to the escalating unrest by imposing an indefinite curfew in Kathmandu, barring all protests, public gatherings, and assemblies. Kathmandu district administrator Chhabilal Rijal announced that the move was necessary to prevent further violence.

In neighbouring Lalitpur, a curfew was enforced until midnight to contain the spread of demonstrations.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli expressed sadness over the bloodshed, blaming “infiltration from different selfish centres” for fueling the clashes. He promised relief to the families of the deceased, free treatment for the injured, and a 15-day probe into the violence.

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Why the Ban Triggered Anger

The protests were triggered after the government blocked access to major social media platforms last week, citing failure of companies to register under new regulations. Officials said the move was aimed at curbing fake IDs, misinformation, and online crimes.

However, the shutdown sparked widespread anger among young Nepalis, who accused the government of targeting free speech instead of tackling rampant corruption. Protesters marched through the streets of Kathmandu carrying placards with slogans such as “Shut down corruption, not social media” and “Youths against corruption.”

Local anger was also fueled by viral TikTok videos contrasting the lavish lifestyles of politicians’ children with the struggles of ordinary citizens. Interestingly, TikTok itself was not included in the latest round of bans, although it had faced a nine-month suspension in the past.

International Reactions and UN Statement

The United Nations called for an urgent investigation into the violence. “We are shocked by the killings and injury of protesters in Nepal today and urge a prompt and transparent investigation,” UN rights office spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said in a statement.

The protests, described by organizers as a “Gen Z movement,” have highlighted deep frustrations among Nepal’s youth over corruption, unemployment, and lack of opportunities. Analysts believe this could mark the beginning of a larger political awakening among younger generations in the Himalayan nation.

Nepal’s decision to lift the social media ban, just hours after violent demonstrations shook the capital, reflects the growing influence of young voices in shaping the country’s politics. While the curfew has temporarily silenced the streets of Kathmandu, the anger that fueled the Gen Z protests underscores deeper issues that cannot be solved with quick fixes. Whether the government’s investigation and promises of reform can address these concerns remains to be seen.