On September 8, mass protests took place in Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, and several other cities against corruption and the authorities’ decision to block more than 20 social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, X, and Reddit.
A rally called “Gen Z Revolution” was held outside the parliament building. According to The Kathmandu Post, protesters blocked roads and set tires on fire. A local official cited by Reuters said that some demonstrators, mostly young people, broke through barricades, entered the parliament building in Kathmandu, and set an ambulance on fire. Associated Press also reported this.
Police responded with tear gas, water cannons, and live fire. One protest participant said:
“The police fired indiscriminately.”
Hospital staff said that 19 people died from gunshot wounds during the clashes in Kathmandu. Across the country, about 350 people were taken to hospitals, and dozens remain in critical condition. Authorities imposed a curfew in the areas where the protests were concentrated.
Last week, Nepal’s government blocked 26 social media platforms. Officials said the move was prompted by some platforms’ failure to submit registration applications as required under government directives. A seven-day filing period began on August 28 and ended on September 3.
TikTok, Viber, Nimbuzz, and Popo Live had already received official government approval and were included on the list of registered services, Kathmandu Post noted. The government says the restrictions are intended to combat fraud, “fake news,” and fake accounts.
As Al Jazeera noted, about 7.5% of Nepal’s population was living abroad in 2021 and used messaging services, including Meta Messenger, to stay in touch with family members. Many people in Nepal switched to Viber to communicate with relatives and friends working overseas. According to Reuters, about 90% of Nepal’s 30 million residents use the internet.