Nepal Plunges into Crisis as Social Media Ban Sparks Violent Gen-Z-Led Protests PM resigns
Nepal was thrown into political and social turmoil on Tuesday after Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned in the wake of violent protests triggered by the government’s sweeping but short-lived ban on social media platforms.
What began as peaceful demonstrations against the ban quickly spiraled into a nationwide uprising, largely driven by Gen-Z citizens, who saw the restriction as an attack on their freedoms and a shield for growing corruption.
The ban, critics say, was the final straw in a country already grappling with mistrust in governance.
Oli Resigns Amid Spiraling Unrest
Announcing his resignation, Oli said he was stepping down “to facilitate a solution to the problem, and help resolve it politically.” But by then, chaos had already engulfed the country.
Protesters set fire to the Nepali Congress party’s central office in Lalitpur, as well as the private residences of Oli in Balkot, President Ram Chandra Poudel, and Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, according to reports from The Kathmandu Post and AP.
Deaths, Injuries, and Airport Shutdown
The protests have come at a staggering cost. At least 19 people lost their lives and more than 400 others were injured in clashes with security forces. In response to the unprecedented situation, all flights at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu were cancelled and the airport shut down, amid rumours that senior leaders, including the Prime Minister, might attempt to flee.
Ban Backfires, Youth Take the Lead
The Nepal government had revoked the social media ban just a day earlier, bowing to mounting pressure after realizing the sweeping restriction had backfired. Instead of restoring calm, the decision reignited public anger, fueling a larger anti-corruption wave.
For thousands of young Nepalis, the move was seen not only as censorship but also as proof of a government trying to silence dissent.
India on Alert
With the unrest spilling over, India issued an advisory urging its citizens in Nepal to exercise caution and follow local authorities’ instructions. Security forces along the 1,751-km India-Nepal border have been placed on high alert. Meanwhile, the Kathmandu District Administration has imposed an indefinite curfew to contain the situation.
At the Crossroads
The violent backlash underscores how the sweeping ban on social media, instead of tightening government control, unleashed an uncontrollable wave of public fury. For many Nepalis, especially the youth, the events of this week symbolize a breaking point in their relationship with political leadership.
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