While the ban was swiftly repealed following public outcry, it served as a spark for deeper frustrations. The protests have since evolved into a broader movement against corruption and political elitism, fueled by the viral “nepo kid” campaign that exposed the opulent lifestyles of politicians’ children and alleged misuse of public funds.
Voices from the Ground Sabana Budathoki, a demonstrator interviewed by the BBC, emphasized that the social media ban was merely a trigger:
“Rather than [the] social media ban, I think everyone’s focus is on corruption… We want our country back.”
Another protester described the ban as an attempt to “silence” dissent, vowing to continue raising their voices until meaningful change is achieved.
Digital Lifelines Cut The government defended the ban as a necessary step to combat fake news, hate speech, and online fraud. However, platforms like Instagram and YouTube are deeply embedded in Nepal’s digital ecosystem, serving as vital sources of news, entertainment, and income for millions.
Storming Parliament On Monday, thousands of young protesters flooded the streets of Kathmandu, storming the parliament and waving placards that read “Enough is enough” and “End to corruption.” Many accused the government of adopting increasingly authoritarian tactics.
Casualties Mount Clashes between demonstrators and security forces have turned deadly. At least 19 people have been killed, and dozens more injured as police deployed water cannons, batons, and rubber bullets to disperse crowds.
