The spark: Social media restrictions
Last week, the Nepalese government ordered a blanket ban on 26 social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, X (formerly Twitter), Reddit and YouTube, after they failed to register with regulators and appoint local representatives.Only TikTok and a few others remained operational, having complied with new requirements.
Authorities defended the move by citing the spread of hate speech, cybercrime and misinformation online. Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli insisted that the “independence of the nation is greater than the loss of jobs of a handful of individuals,” as per a report by The Times of India.
However, rights groups criticised the legislation as a tool to silence dissent and undermine free expression. Also, VPN sign-ups in the country surged by 8,000% after the blackout, according to Proton, though experts caution these are not accessible or effective for everyone, as per AP.
Gen Z-led protests: Escalation and violence
The ban directly cut into the daily lives of Nepal’s digitally savvy youth, who account for over one-fifth of the country’s population.
Demonstrations were quickly dubbed a “protest by Gen Z” by organisers, who argued that young people were also angered by entrenched corruption and limited economic opportunities, as per Reuters.
Many protesters were seen in school and college uniforms, marching and waving national flags in Kathmandu on Monday, September 8. They were also chanting “stop corruption, not social media”.The protestors were also seen with hoardings calling out “nepo babies” while carrying out a “nepo kid” campaign to highlight the luxury lifestyle of the children of the politicians, with protestors alleging that the corruption provides a way for them to live in luxury, while there is a lack of opportunities for other youth in the country, as per a BBC report.
Activists set up first-aid camps as rallies spread to cities including Pokhara, Biratnagar and Bharatpur.
The protests turned violent when demonstrators broke barricades and stormed the Parliament complex in Kathmandu. An ambulance was set on fire, and riot police were pelted with stones.
Security forces responded with batons, water cannons, rubber bullets and tear gas. Protestors alleged that police “fired indiscriminately” while officials insisted that force was used only after violence erupted, as per Reuters.
While media reports say that 19 people were killed, the Nepalese government updated the toll to 18, reported news agency ANI. Hospitals in Kathmandu reported dozens of people admitted with gunshot wounds, with many in critical condition.
The Army was deployed, and indefinite curfews were imposed in Kathmandu and other districts from Tuesday, September 9, as protestors demanded Oli’s resignation over corruption in his government.
Government’s response, and resignations
The backlash prompted swift political fallout. Nepal’s Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak quit on September 8, citing “moral responsibility” for the violence, followed by Agriculture Minister Ramnath Adhikari and Health Minister Pradip Paudel resigning a day later.
While the protestors demanded PM Oli’s resignation on September 9 and continued their protests alleging corruption, Oli described the situation as an “unpleasant” outcome of “ambiguity between the thinking of our Gen-Z generation”.
The cabinet convened an emergency meeting and lifted the ban on all platforms overnight.
Authorities also promised relief payments to families of the deceased, free treatment for the injured, and announced a probe to investigate the unrest, with PM Oli demanding a report in 15 days.
