What led to violent protests in Nepal and is it only because of social media ban?

According to The Kathmandu Post, at least 14 people have died in the unrest. (Image: AFP)

At least 14 people were killed and 42 others injured on Monday as violent protests led by youths against a Nepal government ban on social media sites intensified in Kathmandu, prompting authorities to deploy the army to control the situation, according to officials.

Thousands of youths, including school students, under the banner of Gen Z, clashed with the riot police in front of the Parliament building in Kathmandu. According to eyewitnesses, the protests turned violent when some agitators entered the Parliament complex, prompting police to resort to baton charges, tear gas shells and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd.

A Nepal Police spokesperson told news agency PTI that forty-two people, including security personnel, were injured and are currently undergoing treatment in the Civil Hospital of Kathmandu. According to The Kathmandu Post, at least 14 people have died in the unrest.

Reports say the Army has been deployed to control the situation and the Kathmandu District Administration has issued a prohibitory order from 12:30 pm to 10:00 pm in areas surrounding the Parliament building to curb the unrest. The local administration later extended the restrictive order to various areas surrounding Rastrapati Bhawan, the Vice-President’s residence and the Prime Minister's Office.

Why Nepal banned social media sites?

The Nepal government on September 4 banned 26 social media sites, including Facebook, WhatsApp and X, that do not comply with the mandated registration process, reported PTI.

Although the government has clarified its stance that the social media sites were banned to bring them under regulation. But the general perception among the masses is that this will lead to an attack on free speech, and it may lead to censorship.

The ban of social media sites, including Facebook and Instagram, has been imposed owing to them not registering with Nepal's Ministry of Communication and Information Technology.

According to reports, a notice was allegedly sent to the social media platforms and they were given a week's time from August 28 to register, however, none of them submitted their applications adhering to the given deadline. The list includes Meta (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp), Alphabet (YouTube), X (formerly Twitter), Reddit, and LinkedIn.

The government's notice came after Nepal's Supreme Court order last year asking the social media sites to provide a point of contact and appoint a resident grievance handling officer and compliance officer.

It is reported that TikTok, Viber, Witk, Nimbuzz, and Popo Live have been registered with the government and they continue to operate in the country, however, applications from Telegram and Global Diary are under scrutiny.

The Nepalese government said on Sunday that it respects freedom of thought and expression and was committed to "creating an environment for their protection and unfettered use".

Previously, Telegram was banned due to alleged online fraud and money laundering activities facilitated through the platforms. TikTok, also banned last year, had the restriction ban lifted in August this year after it agreed to comply with the Nepali regulations.

Not just due to social media ban

According to a report by the AFP, the protest is not just because of the ban on social media sites but also due to corruption.

Holding placards reading "Say no to corruption," and "Our future is not for sale", young Nepalese gathered in the capital Kathmandu to protest against graft and the government's decision to suddenly ban social media platforms including Facebook, X and YouTube, the report said.

It is also reported that many in Nepal use social media for their business with around 13.5 million followers on Facebook and around 3.6 million on Instagram.

As the ban affected their business, they resorted to protest which turned into a demonstrations against "institutionalised corruption" in Nepal.

A protester has been quoted as saying by AFP, "We were triggered by the social media ban, but that is not the only reason we are gathered here.. We are protesting against corruption that has been institutionalised in Nepal."

Another protester said they were protesting against the government's "authoritarian attitude" and want to see change. Others have endured this, but it has to end with our generation," she said. They are also saying, "When the leaders' sons and daughters have a bright future, where is ours?"

With inputs from agencies