Mass protests in Nepal over social media ban, army deployed in Kathmandu
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Thousands of young protesters took to the streets in Kathmandu, Nepal, expressing anger over government corruption and a ban on 26 social media apps, including Facebook, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter).
Violent clashes have left at least eight people dead and more than 100 injured.
The army has been deployed in the capital after authorities imposed a curfew to control the unrest.
At least five of the dead were reported at the Trauma Center, with one more at the Kathmandu Medical Center. Protesters, mainly from the Gen-Z generation, accused the government of authoritarian behavior.
Videos highlighting the contrast between ordinary citizens’ struggles and the lavish lifestyles of politicians’ families have gone viral on TikTok, which remains accessible in the country.
The Gen-Z protest group urged demonstrators to step back and leave safely, posting, “There are too many vested group rattling the mass. Please leave safely as soon as possible. We successfully won the day already. Let’s go home today safely.”
The government said it blocked major social media platforms because they failed to follow new regulations requiring them to register with authorities. Nepal’s Minister for Communication and Information, Prithvi Subba Gurung, explained that about two dozen platforms were repeatedly instructed to register their companies but ignored the notices. “The platforms would be blocked immediately,” he stated.
However, platforms like TikTok and Viber, which have registered, are still allowed to operate in Nepal.
The government has also introduced a bill in parliament aimed at making social media platforms more accountable and better regulated. It requires companies to appoint liaison offices within the country.
Since Friday, Nepal has cut access to 26 unregistered platforms, including Facebook, YouTube, and X, affecting millions of users who depend on these services for entertainment, news, and business. Popular apps like Instagram remain blocked, further fueling public frustration.
