Nepal lifted its social media ban on Tuesday, less than a day after violent anti-corruption protests sparked by the restrictions left 19 people dead and over 100 injured. The government has now imposed a curfew in Kathmandu to curb further unrest.
The week-long ban on platforms including Facebook was withdrawn following a Cabinet meeting, Communications and Information Technology Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung confirmed. Social media apps were back online by Tuesday morning.
The protests, largely driven by Nepal’s Gen Z, erupted against widespread corruption and intensified after the shutdown, spreading across multiple cities. Authorities in Kathmandu and neighbouring Lalitpur enforced curfews to prevent gatherings, with officials banning protests, assemblies, and public meetings.
Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli expressed sorrow over the deaths, blaming “infiltration from different selfish centres” for the violence. He announced compensation for victims’ families, free treatment for the injured, and the formation of an investigation panel to report within 15 days.
Organisers described the demonstrations as a reflection of young people’s frustration with the government’s failure to tackle corruption and provide economic opportunities. Officials defended the initial social media ban, citing a crackdown on fake accounts, misinformation, and hate speech.
