On Monday, the Government of Nepal announced that it would lift the recently imposed ban on social media platforms, a move that came after large-scale youth demonstrations turned violent, resulting in at least 19 deaths and more than 300 injuries.
Minister for Communication, Information and Broadcasting, Prithvi Subba Gurung, stated that the Cabinet convened an emergency meeting before deciding to reverse the ban. He confirmed that the Ministry of Information had directed the relevant agencies to restore access to all platforms, responding to demands from young protesters—often referred to as Generation Z—who had been rallying outside Parliament in Kathmandu.
Just three days earlier, the government had blocked 26 platforms, including Facebook and X, citing their failure to comply with mandatory registration rules.
The protests reached a peak on Monday when demonstrators forced their way into the Parliament compound. Security forces used tear gas, water cannons, and even live ammunition to disperse the crowds, according to witnesses.
By Monday evening, services such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and X were back online. Authorities appealed to demonstrators to call off further protest actions, describing the decision as an effort to calm the growing unrest.
This reversal represents a temporary easing of tensions between Nepal’s young population and the state, reflecting ongoing disputes over digital rights and freedom of expression in the country.