Actor Manisha Koirala has expressed her sorrow and rage over the deadly crackdown on protesters in Nepal, referring to it as "a black day for Nepal."
Her emotional message came as Nepal is currently going through one of its most voilent uprisings in recent times. The protests which are led by Gen Z citizens are demanding justice, transparency, and the freedom to speak out.
In the midst of this heartbreak, Manisha Koirala posted a haunting image on social media: a single blood-soaked shoe lying abandoned. She wrote in Nepali, a message that echoed across the country. The translated version read: “Today is a black day for Nepal — when bullets respond to the voice of the people, outrage against corruption and demand for justice.”
Her post resonated deeply, especially among young Nepalis who have looked up to her not just as a star, but as someone who speaks from the heart.
On Monday, the protests took a deadly turn. Demonstrators gathered outside the Parliament in Kathmandu, chanting for change. But what followed shocked the nation—security forces opened fire on the crowds. At least 20 people were killed, and more than 250 injured in the chaos. Tear gas filled the air, rubber bullets flew, and batons struck protestors as police tried to regain control. Eventually, the army was deployed.
Following days of violent youth-led protests that resulted in at least 19 fatalities and over 300 injuries, the Nepali government reversed its decision to ban social media platforms.
Minister for Communication, Information and Broadcasting Prithvi Subba Gurung said the reversal was decided at an emergency Cabinet meeting. “The Ministry of Information has ordered the concerned agencies to start the process of resuming the social media sites as per the demands of the ‘Gen Z’,” he announced.
Three days prior, 26 platforms, including Facebook and X, had been banned by the government for not registering with the appropriate authorities. Young protesters led large-scale protests in Kathmandu in response to the action.
According to witnesses, the agitation intensified on Monday after protesters broke into the Parliament complex, forcing police to use tear gas, water cannons and even live rounds to disperse the crowd.
In view of the government's decision, the minister urged the protesting groups to cease their agitation. By Monday evening, major social media platforms in Nepal were back online, including Facebook, X, and WhatsApp.
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