Kathmandu, Nepal — Nepal’s government has reversed its controversial ban on social media platforms less than 24 hours after violent protests, predominantly led by the country’s youth, resulted in 19 fatalities and over 100 injuries. The move comes amid growing national unrest, prompting authorities to impose a strict, indefinite curfew across the capital city, Kathmandu.
The protests, widely described as the “Gen Z movement”, erupted in response to what demonstrators called an authoritarian attempt to silence dissent by restricting online platforms. Although authorities initially justified the ban as a measure to combat misinformation and enforce compliance with local registration requirements, it rapidly became a flashpoint for deeper frustrations over rampant corruption, political inaction, and declining economic prospects.
Government Confirms Restoration of Online Platforms
Nepal’s Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, announced on Tuesday that the social media restrictions had been lifted, acknowledging the widespread backlash and deteriorating public order caused by the move.
“We have withdrawn the shutdown of the social media. They are working now,” Gurung said in a brief statement to Reuters. As of Tuesday morning, popular apps including Facebook and Instagram were once again accessible in the country, confirming the rollback of the ban.
The decision marks a swift policy reversal by the administration after attempting to justify the ban on grounds of national security and platform compliance. Officials had earlier said that the suspension applied to social media companies that failed to register with the government, as part of a wider crackdown on digital anonymity, misinformation, and hate speech.
Death Toll Sparks National Outrage
The announcement comes on the heels of Monday’s deadly demonstrations, during which security forces clashed with thousands of protesters in Kathmandu and surrounding areas. Protesters, mostly young people in their late teens and early twenties, took to the streets demanding accountability, transparency, and an end to the deep-rooted culture of corruption.
According to health authorities, at least 19 people died, while over 100 others sustained serious injuries. The casualties occurred primarily during confrontations between protesters and riot police, with eyewitnesses reporting use of rubber bullets, tear gas, and baton charges to disperse crowds.
Social media, which had been offline for days, was briefly restored amid the chaos, allowing video footage and photos of the brutal crackdowns to spread quickly, drawing national and international condemnation.
Authorities Impose Indefinite Curfew
In response to the escalating unrest, the Kathmandu District Administration imposed an indefinite curfew late Monday night, aiming to prevent further mass gatherings and maintain public order.
“No protests, mass gatherings, meetings, or assemblies of people will be allowed during the curfew,” said Kathmandu District Administrator Chhabilal Rijal in a formal notice. Authorities in the neighbouring Lalitpur district have also enforced a curfew, though it is expected to lift by midnight Tuesday.
The decision to impose curfews follows calls by protest organizers for nationwide condolence meetings to honour those killed in the crackdown. Officials fear that these memorial events could evolve into larger, uncontrolled demonstrations.
Prime Minister Responds to Protests
Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, addressing the nation in a late-night statement, expressed regret over the loss of life, but stopped short of taking full responsibility for the situation.
He suggested that the violence may have been exacerbated by “infiltration from different selfish centres,” implying that external forces may have influenced the unrest. However, he acknowledged the need for corrective action, announcing that an independent investigation panel would be formed.
“The investigation panel will find out the causes, assess losses, and suggest measures within 15 days to ensure that such incidents are not repeated in future,” Oli said.
He also committed to compensation for the families of the deceased and free medical treatment for the injured — a move seen by many as an attempt to de-escalate tensions without conceding to the larger demands of the protesters.
Youth-Led Protests Signal a Broader Crisis
The protests have come to symbolize more than just opposition to a social media ban. The “Gen Z protests”, as dubbed by their organizers, reflect a growing discontent among Nepal’s younger generation — a group that finds itself increasingly marginalized in both economic and political terms.
Nepal, one of South Asia’s poorest economies, has faced stagnating job growth, increasing emigration, and a widening wealth gap in recent years. Public frustration has intensified amid repeated corruption scandals involving political elites and allegations of misuse of public funds.
For many young people, the social media ban represented a final insult — an attempt to cut off their primary means of communication, organization, and expression.
“This isn’t just about Facebook or Instagram,” said 21-year-old protester Aayush Gautam, a university student. “This is about our future, our right to speak, our right to demand a better Nepal.”
Crackdown on Digital Platforms Backfires
The original justification for the social media ban was grounded in national security rhetoric. The government argued that platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok had become vehicles for fake news, identity fraud, and hate speech. Officials had announced plans to force social media companies to register locally, thereby making them more accountable to Nepali law. However, the lack of transparency and suddenness of the ban led many to interpret the decision as an authoritarian overreach. Critics also pointed out the disproportionate impact on small businesses, students, and journalists, all of whom rely heavily on social media for communication and livelihood.
Legal experts raised concerns over the absence of any parliamentary or judicial oversight, warning that such measures set a dangerous precedent in a country that has struggled to uphold democratic norms since the end of the monarchy in 2008.
Mounting Pressure from Civil Society
Nepal’s civil society, including human rights groups, student unions, journalists’ associations, and tech professionals, has spoken out forcefully against both the social media ban and the violent response to protests.
The National Human Rights Commission of Nepal (NHRC) has called for a thorough inquiry into allegations of excessive force used by police and paramilitary units. International watchdogs, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have also issued statements demanding accountability. Many activists argue that while the immediate crisis may have passed with the restoration of internet access, the underlying grievances remain unaddressed.
“There is a growing disconnect between the ruling elite and the youth of this country,” said constitutional expert Dr. Arjun Thapa. “If the government fails to address the root causes of this unrest — corruption, unemployment, and democratic backsliding — the situation could worsen in the months ahead.”
Government Faces a Trust Deficit
The Oli administration, already under scrutiny for handling of past crises — including COVID-19 mismanagement, fuel shortages, and diplomatic tensions with India — is now grappling with a significant crisis of credibility. Public confidence in institutions, from the judiciary to anti-corruption watchdogs, has eroded. Youth-led protests signal not only dissatisfaction with governance but also a generational shift in political consciousness, one that is digitally empowered and less tolerant of state overreach.
The fact that the protests originated online and were amplified despite the internet shutdown indicates a new kind of civil resistance, driven by decentralized leadership and spontaneous mobilization.
Looking Ahead
The rapid rollback of the social media ban may offer temporary relief, but the larger socio-political tremors caused by the protests continue to reverberate. Calls for reform, transparency, and accountability are expected to intensify, particularly as the 15-day investigation panel begins its work.
Observers note that the outcome of this inquiry, and the government’s willingness to implement its recommendations, will likely shape Nepal’s political trajectory in the near term.
Nepal’s reversal of the social media ban and imposition of a curfew following deadly anti-corruption protests underscores a country caught at a crossroads between democratic aspirations and state control. While the internet is back online, the deeper tensions between governance and the governed remain unresolved. The voices of Nepal’s young protesters — digitally savvy, politically conscious, and increasingly vocal — are unlikely to be silenced, and the government will have to decide whether to confront that reality with repression or reform.
