Nepalese Youth Protest Social Media Ban, Storm Parliament in Outrage

A wave of unrest has swept across Nepal in response to a government-imposed ban on several social media platforms. Thousands of Gen-Z protesters engaged in demonstrations, with a significant number infiltrating the parliament building in Kathmandu. Police responded with tear gas and, according to reports, gunfire to disperse the crowds. Curfews were swiftly implemented near the homes of the President, Vice President, and Prime Minister to maintain order. The protesters’ grievances center on issues such as unemployment, corruption, and the economic downturn, which they attribute to the government’s policies. Parallel protests were observed in multiple cities including Biratnagar, Bharatpur, and Pokhara. The ban, which came into effect on September 4th, targeted 26 social media applications including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp, Reddit and X. The youth expressed fears about the impact on their education and commercial activities.