19 dead in Nepal protests against social media ban
At least 19 people died and many were injured in Nepal during protests against political corruption and a government ban on social media. Demonstrators, mainly from Generation Z, gathered near the parliament building in Kathmandu to oppose the ban on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, and to express broader discontent with the government's actions.
Nepal's Minister for Communication, Prithvi Subba, stated that police used force, including water cannons, batons, and rubber bullets, to control the situation. The government defended the social media ban as necessary to combat fake news, hate speech, and online fraud, despite the popularity of platforms like Instagram among millions of Nepali users for entertainment, news, and business.
Protesters carried signs with messages such as "enough is enough" and "end to corruption," criticizing the government's alleged authoritarian behavior. Many believe that corruption is widespread in Nepal, with the government facing scrutiny for failing to address longstanding economic challenges. Some demonstrators clarified that their primary concern was corruption, not just the social media ban.
As the protest escalated near the parliament, some individuals breached the restricted area, leading to clashes with security forces. The exact cause of the confrontations remains unclear. Police in Kathmandu reported 17 fatalities, with tear gas and water cannons used to disperse the crowd. Hospitals treating the injured also faced challenges, with tear gas affecting their operations.
In response to the unrest, a curfew was imposed around key locations, including the parliament building. Two additional deaths occurred in Itahari during protests following the curfew announcement. The Nepal Army deployed a small unit to maintain order during the curfew. Following the protests, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned from his position, citing moral reasons due to the protest-related deaths.
Authorities in Nepal had recently blocked 26 social media platforms for failing to register with the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology. Users encountered difficulties accessing these platforms, although some resorted to VPNs to bypass the ban. The government clarified that it aims to regulate social media according to Nepali laws, rather than imposing a complete ban. Despite the restrictions, content opposing the ban circulated widely on TikTok, which remained operational in Nepal.