Following violent clashes in Nepal, the Oli government has reversed its stance. Thousands of Gen-Z youth demonstrated in Kathmandu and other cities against a ban on social media apps. The protests resulted in 19 fatalities and over 300 injuries. In response, the Nepalese government lifted the ban on social media late at night. This action came after Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli initially refused to remove the ban. Here are 10 major updates related to the violence and protests in Nepal.
1. A committee will be formed to investigate the violence. Prime Minister Oli expressed his sorrow over the deaths and alleged that some anti-social elements had infiltrated the peaceful demonstrations. He stated that force had to be used to protect government property. The Prime Minister clarified that the government’s aim was not to shut down social media but to regulate it. Oli announced the formation of an investigation committee that will submit a report within 15 days.
2. Appeal to youth to withdraw protests. Minister of Information and Broadcasting Prithvi Subba Gurung announced the lifting of the social media ban after an emergency cabinet meeting. The minister also appealed to the Gen Z youth to withdraw their protests. However, the youth have stated their intention to intensify the protests from Tuesday.
3. Oli will not resign. Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned after the events on Monday. Minister of Information and Broadcasting Prithvi Subba Gurung stated that PM Oli would not resign. The government had already decided to lift the social media ban in response to the demands of the youth. The government will provide compensation to the families of the deceased and free treatment to the injured.
4. Information on the deceased and injured. 17 protesters died in Kathmandu and 2 in the Sunsari district of eastern Nepal. Over 347 injured individuals are undergoing treatment.
5. Curfew in Kathmandu, Army deployed. The army was deployed in Kathmandu on Monday after the situation became uncontrollable. The army has taken control of the areas around the Parliament building. The administration has imposed a curfew in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Pokhara, Butwal, and Itahari. During the curfew, all gatherings, rallies, and movements are prohibited.
6. How the protest started? Thousands of youths demonstrated in front of the Parliament building in Kathmandu. They demanded that the government lift the ban. The protest turned violent when some people entered the Parliament complex. Police used water cannons, tear gas, and opened fire to disperse the crowd.
7. The government is not against social media. Prime Minister Oli stated that the government is not against social media, but those earning in the country must abide by the law. He referred to the protesters as mere puppets. Journalists and tech organizations also spoke out against the ban.
8. UN and Western countries expressed concern. The United Nations Human Rights organization expressed sorrow over the violence and demanded a fair investigation. The United States, Britain, Australia, France, Japan, South Korea, and Japan, among several other countries, expressed shock over the violence and conveyed their condolences to the deceased.
9. Why was the ban imposed? The government had imposed a ban on 26 social media apps, including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp, Reddit, and X, because they were not registered with the government within the stipulated time. The government claimed that this step was taken to enforce regulations, not for censorship. However, the youth took to the streets to protest.
10. The reason for the protest isn’t just social media. The youth have held the government responsible for unemployment, corruption, and economic recession. They started the Nepo Kid trend on social media, alleging that the children of leaders were taking advantage of amenities earned through corruption. The opulence of leaders’ children and the unemployment of ordinary people were compared. The Oli government has been accused of failing to fulfill its promise to end corruption.
