Protest against Monday's killing of 19 people after anti-corruption protests, in Kathmandu
Credit: Reuters
After 19 people were killed and scores of other injured, Nepal witnessed widespread unrest in retaliation on Tuesday with people taking to the streets to make their disdain against the banning of social media apps like Facebook and Instagram known.
The protests reached such intensity that houses of many top political leaders came under siege from agitators and were ultimately set on fire. This pushed K P Sharma Oli to resign from his post of prime minister.
However, the banning of social media apps was the last straw for the people of Nepal. Over the years, tensions had been simmering over corruption allegations regarding the current disposition. So what propelled them to overthrow their government?
Ban on social media sparks outrage
Last week, the Nepali government decided to block access to several social media platforms that missed a deadline to register with the authorities. They banned 26 sites including Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram, X, and YouTube.
However, TikTok, Viber, WeTalk, Nimbuzz and Poppo Live was able to escape the clutches of the ban by registering with the government.
The authorities said it was cracking down on misuse of the platforms, where some users with fake IDs were spreading hatred and rumours, committing cybercrime and disturbing social harmony.
This order came into effect after the country's Supreme Court last year asked social media giants to establish a point of contact and name a resident grievance handling officer and compliance officer.
However, the critics of the ban poised that government is trying to curb freedom of expression along with self-expression and try to silence the naysayers of the government.
Also, social media provides a means to earn a livelihood for many who live in the unemployment-rampant country.
A report in The Kathmandu Post puts the number of Facebook users in Nepal at around 13.5 million and Instagram at around 3.6 million.
Social Media: A hope amidst chaos
Not only do apps like Instagram and Facebook help Nepal's tourism economy by boosting their businesses and spreading word to others around the globe but this space also gives a space to the youth of the country.
Amid rising unemployment and rampant corruption, the youth has grown disillusioned with the same septuagenarians who are not willing to loosen their grip on power.
On the contrary, the only young political leaders that are present in the country got a start via these platforms.
Thus, banning of social media, in light of these events, was seen from a skeptical perspective.
Moreover, the 'Gen-Z' protesters had an axe to grind with children of prominent families of 'Nepo babies' who were leading a lavish lifestyle.
According to a report by Indian Express, Monday’s rally was organised by a group called Hami Nepal. The group’s chairperson, Sudhan Gurung, said the protest was “a response to government actions and corruption”.
Corruption abound
Though Nepal’s economic growth accelerated in the first half of FY25 but it has been noted that job creation is slow and inequality is exceptionally high which forces many people to leave the country and seek employment elsewhere.
This compounded with the fact that power keeps rotating within the same corrupt circles has left many in the country feeling helpless and propelled them to take to the streets.