Nepal lifts social media ban after violent Gen-Z protests leave 19 dead, 300 injured

Facing violent Gen-Z protests that killed at least 19 people and injured over 300, Nepal’s government has lifted its controversial ban on 26 social media platforms. The Cabinet made the decision late Monday, with key ministers appealing for calm.

Kathmandu: The Nepal government has withdrawn its earlier decision to ban social media sites after violent protests by youths that left at least 19 people dead and over 300 others injured.

Nepal Minister for Communication, Information and Broadcasting Prithvi Subba Gurung on Monday night announced that the government has withdrawn its earlier decision to ban social media sites following an emergency meeting of the Cabinet.

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Gurung said the Ministry of Information has ordered the concerned agencies to resume the social media sites as per the demands of ‘Gen Z’, which spearheaded a massive protest in front of the Parliament in the heart of Kathmandu.

The Nepalese government had ordered the ban of 26 social media sites, including Facebook and ‘X’, over their failure to register with the government. The minister also requested the protesting ‘Gen Z’ group to withdraw their protest programme.

The demonstration on Monday turned violent when some protesters entered the Parliament complex, prompting police to use water cannons, tear gas, and live rounds to disperse crowds, eyewitnesses said.

At least 19 people died and over 300 others were injured in Monday’s violence. Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned over the situation. Meanwhile, social media sites such as Facebook, ‘X’ and WhatsApp have come back into operation from Monday night.