Nepal’s capital descended into chaos on Monday as thousands of youths, rallying under the “Gen Z” banner, clashed violently with police over a government ban on 26 social media platforms, including Facebook, WhatsApp, X, Instagram, and YouTube. The protests, which left at least 19 dead and over 300 injured, prompted the resignation of Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak and forced the government to lift the controversial ban. The unrest, marked by tear gas, water cannons, and live ammunition, has shaken the nation and drawn global attention.
The protests erupted in Kathmandu’s New Baneshwor area, near the parliament complex, where young demonstrators, including school students, demanded the immediate revocation of the social media ban imposed on Thursday for platforms failing to register with the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology.
The situation escalated when some protesters breached the parliament complex, leading police to deploy forceful measures. Nepal Police spokesperson Binod Ghimire reported 17 deaths in Kathmandu and two in Sunsari district due to police firing. Hospitals, overwhelmed with 347 injured protesters, struggled to cope, with facilities like Civil Hospital and the National Trauma Centre referring patients elsewhere.
Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli, expressing grief, claimed “unwanted elements” infiltrated the protests, necessitating force to protect public property. He insisted the ban aimed to regulate, not censor, social media, and announced a probe committee to investigate within 15 days. In a significant reversal, Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung announced the lifting of the ban after an emergency cabinet meeting, urging protesters to stand down.
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The violence spread beyond Kathmandu to cities like Pokhara, Butwal, Bhairahawa, Bharatpur, Itahari, and Damak, prompting curfews in multiple districts. Chief District Officer Chhabi Lal Rijal banned gatherings in restricted zones around key government sites, including the Prime Minister’s Office and Rastrapati Bhawan. The Kathmandu Post reported fatalities across hospitals, with eight at the National Trauma Centre, three each at Everest and Civil Hospitals, two at Kathmandu Medical College, and one at Tribhuvan Teaching Hospital.
Public outrage fueled the protests, with many viewing the ban as an attack on free speech. The Computer Association of Nepal warned that the shutdown threatens education, business, and daily life, risking Nepal’s digital progress. Journalists also protested at Maitighar Mandala, condemning the government’s move. A viral social media campaign, “Nepo Kid,” amplified the unrest, with youths accusing politicians’ children of exploiting corrupt wealth.
Home Minister Lekhak, from the Nepali Congress party in Oli’s coalition, resigned on moral grounds during a cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister’s residence in Baluwatar. The resignation underscores the political fallout of the crisis, which has heightened tensions along Nepal’s border, prompting India to place its 1,751-km frontier on alert.
As Nepal grapples with the aftermath, the lifting of the ban offers a glimmer of resolution, but the loss of life and widespread injuries have left scars. The protests, driven by a tech-savvy generation, signal a growing demand for accountability and freedom, challenging the government to address public grievances without resorting to violence.
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