Kathmandu Restores Social Media Access After Deadly Protests Leave 19 Dead

Major social media platforms resumed operations in Nepal on Monday, a day after violent protests in Kathmandu and other cities left at least 19 people dead. Demonstrators had taken to the streets demanding that the government lift its restrictions on digital platforms and focus instead on tackling corruption.

According to Agence France-Presse, Nepal’s Minister for Communication, Prithvi Subba Gurung, confirmed through local media that the ban was withdrawn following an emergency cabinet meeting.

The crisis began on Friday when the government blocked 26 unregistered social media platforms, including Facebook, YouTube, and X, sparking widespread outrage. The move disproportionately affected Nepal’s younger generation, who depend on these services for communication, education, and livelihoods.

The restrictions added to simmering public frustration in a country grappling with economic stagnation. Unemployment hovers near 10 percent, while GDP per capita remains at just $1,447, according to World Bank data. For many citizens, the ban symbolized a leadership disconnected from the daily struggles of ordinary people.

By Sunday, protests had escalated dramatically. Demonstrators waving national flags marched toward Parliament, breaking through security barricades. Police responded with tear gas, rubber bullets, water cannons, and batons. Amnesty International reported that live ammunition was also fired. Hospitals in Kathmandu confirmed that dozens of injured protesters were admitted, many suffering from gunshot wounds.

Local reports indicate 19 people were killed in the capital and at least two more in Sunsari district in eastern Nepal as security forces sought to restore order.

Meanwhile, discontent has been amplified online. With TikTok—one of the few platforms left accessible—flooded by viral videos, images contrasting the daily hardships of ordinary Nepalis with the luxury lifestyles of politicians’ children have intensified anger and underscored deep social inequalities.

While access to some platforms has been restored, others—including Instagram, a key outlet for news, entertainment, and small businesses—remain suspended, fueling further resentment and keeping the nation on edge.