Govt lifts social media ban amid nationwide Gen Z protests (video)
The government had initially imposed the ban on Bhadra 19 through a ministerial decision, targeting several platforms, with X (formerly Twitter) at the center of the crackdown.
KATHMANDU: Amid mounting youth-led protests and growing public pressure, the government has finally bowed down and lifted the controversial ban on social media.
The decision was made during Monday’s Cabinet meeting, confirmed Minister for Information and Communication Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung, who stated that social media platforms are now operational again.
The government had initially imposed the ban on Bhadra 19 through a ministerial decision, targeting several platforms, with X (formerly Twitter) at the center of the crackdown.
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, during the Cabinet briefing, had argued that X showed no respect for Nepal’s national sovereignty and had refused to register in the country despite repeated requests over the past 18 months.
The move, however, sparked massive outrage, particularly among Gen Z, who took to the streets demanding restoration of online freedom.
Demonstrations escalated across the country, with violent clashes leading to the deaths of 17 protesters in Kathmandu and 2 in Itahari on Monday alone.
