Nepal’s government has lifted its controversial ban on social media platforms after mass protests erupted across the country, leaving at least 19 people dead and more than 100 injured in violent clashes with police.

The unrest, led largely by young demonstrators, followed the government’s decision last week to block 26 social media sites including Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram over their failure to register with Nepal’s Ministry of Communication and Information Technology. Officials had justified the ban as necessary to combat misinformation, hate speech, and online fraud.

But for millions of Nepalis, especially the youth, these platforms are not just sources of entertainment but also vital spaces for business, news, and civic engagement. In recent weeks, social media had amplified the viral “nepo kid” campaign, which highlighted the extravagant lifestyles of politicians’ children and reignited long-standing anger over corruption and nepotism in politics.

The ban quickly turned into a flashpoint. On Monday, thousands of protesters, many from Generation Z, stormed the streets of Kathmandu and several other districts. Some tried to break into parliament while others clashed with police. Security forces responded with water cannons, rubber bullets, and batons, leaving dozens hospitalized. Demonstrators also attacked the hometown residence of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli in Damak.

Placards carried by the crowd read “Enough is enough” and “End corruption.” Protester Sabana Budathoki told the BBC the ban was “just the reason” they had gathered. “Rather than social media, everyone’s focus is on corruption. We want our country back.”

Late Monday night, after an emergency cabinet meeting, the government announced the lifting of the ban to “address the demands of Gen Z.” Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned hours earlier amid criticism over the use of force. Prime Minister Oli expressed sorrow over the deaths, blaming the violence on “infiltration by vested interest groups,” while pledging an investigation and financial relief for victims’ families.

The episode underscores the growing power of social media in shaping public discourse and mobilizing political action. Once dismissed as a distraction, these platforms have become a force capable of holding governments accountable, particularly in countries where traditional institutions are slow to respond to public grievances.

What began as a restriction aimed at curbing online risks quickly spiraled into one of Nepal’s deadliest political crises in recent years a reminder that in today’s world, silencing social media can silence neither dissent nor the demand for accountability.

BOB Post