Nepal Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned on Tuesday as demonstrators defied an indefinite curfew and clashed with police, a day after 19 people died in violent protests against a social media ban and alleged government corruption.
The government lifted a social media ban early on Tuesday, less than a day after it sparked anti-corruption protests that left 19 dead and more than 100 injured as security forces fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowds.
The ban lit a touch paper among Nepal’s Gen Z, many of whom feel frustrated at what they consider rank corruption at the top and a lack of openness or opportunity trickling down.
Here’s a look at what happened.
What happened at the protests?
Unrest lasting hours on Monday left at least 19 dead and scores injured in Nepal’s capital as police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters.
The protests, touted as “demonstrations by Gen Z” by organisers, were mostly powered by young people who feel frustrated with politics, poverty and the cost of living.
Many of the demonstrators wore school or college uniforms as they faced police in riot gear.
They said the social-media ban not only muffled their freedom of expression, but also impacted their livelihoods.
Protesters carried the national flag and placards declaring “Shut down corruption and not social media”.
Several protesters were taken to hospital, a Reuters witness said. A group of protesters stopped a security vehicle heading towards parliament and an ambulance was set on fire, the witness said.
Why were social media platforms banned?
Last week, Nepal blocked access to several social media platforms, including Facebook, X and YouTube, after they failed to register with authorities.
The government said social media users with fake IDs had been spreading hate speech and false news, as well as committing fraud and other crimes in a nation where 90% of its 30 million people use the internet.
It had given firms until last Wednesday to register and name a person responsible for self-regulation, or face shutdown.
On Thursday, the government told the regulator to deactivate unregistered social media, but gave no details of which platforms faced action.
A communications ministry official told Reuters that TikTok, Viber, WeTalk, Nimbuzz and Poppo Live had registered, but others, including Facebook, had not.
Why were young Nepalis protesting?
Demonstrators said the ban stifles free expression and violates their fundamental rights. Critics described it as a tool for censorship and to punish government critics.
Young Nepalis said they depend on popular platforms such as Instagram and Facebook - with about 14 million users in the country combined - for entertainment, news and business.
They said the ban would have hit businesses that rely on social media to reach customers and sell goods or services.
The protesters are also angry about corruption.
TikTok videos contrasting the tough struggle that is life for most in Nepal against the luxury and lavish holidays enjoyed by politicians’ children have gained widespread attention, as the app continues to run despite the ban.
One poster read: “We pay, you flex - enough!”
How have authorities reacted?
The government rolled back the social media ban imposed and all the apps were available in Nepal on Tuesday morning, Reuters was able to verify.
But there was no let up in the protests, forcing Oli to quit and plunging Nepal into fresh political uncertainty.
The unrest is the worst in decades in the poor Himalayan country wedged between India and China. Nepal has struggled with political instability and economic uncertainty since protests led to the abolition of its monarchy in 2008.
The government said it would pay relief for the families of the dead and provide free treatment for the injured.
Where else has seen unrest over social-media bans?
Nepal’s social media shutdown came as governments worldwide take steps to tighten oversight of social media and Big Tech due to growing concern about misinformation, data privacy, online harm and national security.
Digital media in neighbouring Pakistan has been muffled after telecom authorities slowed internet speeds, and social media platform X has been blocked for more than a year.
India banned TikTok and 58 other Chinese apps over compliance and privacy issues in 2021.
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