Nepal has lifted a controversial social media ban after days of unrest that escalated into nationwide anti-corruption protests, leaving at least 19 people dead in clashes with police.
The government announced the reversal late on Monday following an emergency meeting, hoping to calm tensions that had engulfed the capital and other cities.
The protests were sparked by growing frustration over corruption scandals and anger at the lavish lifestyles of politicians’ children.
A “nepo kid” campaign had been spreading widely on social media before the restrictions, drawing attention to nepotism and misuse of public resources.
The movement gained momentum online, with young people sharing evidence of privilege and demanding accountability from political leaders.
When the government ordered the blocking of 26 major social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, thousands of people poured into the streets of Kathmandu.
Demonstrators stormed parliament on Monday, defying police barricades and chanting against corruption. Authorities quickly imposed curfews in several districts as protests spread beyond the capital.
A government minister confirmed the decision to reverse the ban was taken “to address the demands of Gen Z” after heated debate within the cabinet. Officials had initially justified the restrictions as necessary to combat fake news, hate speech, and online fraud.
The ban was announced last week after platforms failed to register with the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology by the government’s deadline.
For millions of Nepalis, social media platforms are central to daily life, used for entertainment, news, small businesses, and community organising.
Critics said the blackout cut people off from crucial information, while fuelling suspicion that the government was attempting to silence dissent rather than protect citizens.
On Monday, young protesters carried placards with slogans such as “enough is enough” and “end to corruption.”
Many said the restrictions highlighted what they viewed as the government’s authoritarian approach. In Damak, some demonstrators hurled stones at Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s residence.
One protester, Sabana Budathoki, told the BBC that the social media ban was “just the reason” they gathered.
“Rather than [the] social media ban, I think everyone’s focus is on corruption,” she explained, adding: “We want our country back. We came to stop corruption.”
Police in Kathmandu responded with water cannons, batons, and rubber bullets to disperse the crowds. The clashes left dozens injured and deepened public anger over the government’s handling of the crisis.
Prime Minister Oli said he was “deeply saddened” by the violence and the loss of life, insisting that the unrest had been fuelled by “infiltration by various vested interest groups.”
He announced that a panel would be formed to investigate the protests and promised financial “relief” for the families of those killed, as well as free treatment for those injured.
By Monday evening, political fallout had already begun. Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak tendered his resignation after facing widespread criticism over the heavy-handed police response.
His departure underscored the mounting pressure on Oli’s administration to restore order and respond to the demands of Nepal’s younger generation.
