Nepal experienced days of extreme violence following the decision by the left-wing government to censor access to social networks such as Facebook, YouTube, and X. The measure affected nearly 30 million people and unleashed popular fury, especially among young people, who depend on these platforms to study, work, and organize commercial activities.
Mass protests in Kathmandu and other cities resulted in a tragic toll: 19 dead and about 400 injured, mostly as a result of police repression. Human rights organizations denounced the use of live ammunition and tear gas even in hospital areas, which further fueled public outrage.
Censorship as a trigger
The digital blockade was implemented after the official ban on 26 unregistered platforms, which sparked an immediate social outburst. The government itself acknowledged the magnitude of the discontent by ordering the restoration of the networks just one day after the repression.
El gobierno de izquierda de Nepal cede y restablece redes sociales tras una masacre
In Kathmandu, thousands of protesters broke through barricades and reached areas near Parliament. Many also protested against corruption and the luxurious lifestyle of high officials' families, in stark contrast to the country's structural poverty, where the average annual income is just $1,447.
Weak promises and popular distrust
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli expressed his regret over the deaths and announced the creation of an investigative committee. He also assured that his administration "doesn't support restricting the use of social networks" and that it will guarantee unrestricted access to the internet. However, the resignation of the Minister of the Interior in the midst of the crisis revealed the fragility of the cabinet and the lack of concrete responses.
The youth, main protagonists of the protests, went viral on TikTok with images contrasting the austere life of the majority with the luxuries of the ruling elite, fueling indignation against the political power of the left.
El gobierno de izquierda de Nepal cede y restablece redes sociales tras una masacre
Repression and social fracture
Witnesses reported disturbing scenes in overwhelmed hospitals, with seriously injured people in hallways and doctors affected by tear gas. More than 100 police officers were also injured, showing the magnitude of the clashes.
Local editorials and citizen voices sum up the discontent in one phrase: "It's not just about social networks, but about trust, corruption, and a generation that refuses to be silenced."
