The Government of Nepal has announced it is withdrawing its decision to ban social media sites following violent protests by the youth. The violent protests, which began after the government banned key social media platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and X, turned bloody. The country was on edge, with protests erupting in every village of the Himalayan nation.

The protests, led by the youth against the decision of the KP Sharma Oli government, turned violent. In clashes in Kathmandu, police used rubber bullets, resulting in 19 deaths and injuries to over 250 protesters. Security personnel had to flee to protect themselves from attacks by protesters near the Nepali Parliament building. As the situation spiralled out of control, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli held an emergency cabinet meeting and decided to withdraw the ban. Subsequently, Nepal's Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, announced the lifting of the social media ban. He stated that the Ministry of Information had contacted relevant agencies to restore the social media sites in response to "Generation Z's demands."

What Happened?

The Nepali government had banned social media platforms because they failed to register with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology within the given deadline. As government decided to ban social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, X, Reddit, and LinkedIn, claiming they had not registered with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology within the deadline. Meanwhile, only TikTok, Viber, Witk, Nimbuzz, and Popo Live had registered before August 28 deadline. Telegram and Global Dailies had applied for registration, and the approval process was underway. The ban on key platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, and X drove the Nepali youth to the streets. The platforms were required to register within seven days of August 28, but the deadline passed on Wednesday night without them being registered. This led the government to ban 26 social media sites.

Corruption Allegations On KP Sharma Oli

In addition to this action, the youth of Nepal also organized massive protests in Kathmandu and other cities against corruption allegations levelled against the KP Sharma Oli government. They strongly protested the social media ban and tried to march toward the Nepali Parliament, defying police-imposed restrictions.

As protesters attempted to surround the Parliament, police and security forces tried to stop them. When the protesters did not comply, police resorted to a baton charge. To control the protests, security forces used water cannons, tear gas, and rubber bullets on the protesters.

The protesters expressed anger, saying that the ban on social media affected their livelihoods. They lamented that the livelihoods of YouTubers, vloggers, and bloggers who depend on these platforms were being destroyed. They also commented that the government's ban on social media would prevent millions of young Nepalis living abroad for work or study from communicating with their family and friends back home.

Protesters alleged that the government imposed the social media ban to cover up its corruption. In light of these developments, the Nepali Home Minister recently resigned from his post, taking moral responsibility. He submitted his resignation letter to the Prime Minister during an emergency meeting at PM KP Sharma Oli's official residence.

To control the thousands of protesters, security forces opened fire. The agitated protesters retaliated with iron rods, bottles, and stones. Several security personnel were injured in the attacks, and their shields were broken. Protesters even hurled the tear gas canisters back at the security forces. Faced with strong resistance, the security forces had to flee to protect themselves.

Protesters Angered Over Loss of Livelihoods

Protesters were furious that the ban on a large number of social media platforms at once was destroying their livelihoods. They argued that the livelihoods of YouTubers, vloggers, and bloggers were being ruined. Most importantly, they said, the government's ban would make it impossible for 7 million young Nepalis living abroad for education or work to communicate with their families and friends. Protesters further accused the government of banning social media to hide its corruption.

The protests intensified as Nepali artists, actors, and musicians lent their support. The Federation of Nepali Journalists criticized the government's ban, stating it was a violation of freedom of expression and press and trampled on the constitutional right to information. Following the outbreak of violent protests, the government reversed its decision to ban social media.