KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Amid violent upheaval, Nepal's government reinstated access to major social media platforms on Tuesday, just a day after protests in the capital saw at least 19 lives lost.
Prior to this, platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube were blocked following demonstrations against the government's attempts to regulate social media activities. Tensions escalated on Monday as protesters clashed with police in Kathmandu, leading to gunfire and chaos.
The Home Minister, Ramesh Lekhak, resigned during an emergency Cabinet meeting called by Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli as public outrage mounted. Thousands gathered around the Parliament building, demanding accountability from officials who accused social media companies of failing to register for government oversight.
Critics argue that the government's intentions behind the proposed regulations, aimed at ensuring responsible management of social media, serve to suppress dissent and stifle freedom of expression. A bill seeking to enforce stricter oversight has faced backlash for being potentially draconian.
Police issued repeated warnings to numerous social networks to register for operation in Nepal over the past week — leading to the block on those not complying. The government had previously banned TikTok in 2023 under claims of causing social disruption, though the ban was lifted after the company agreed to comply with local law.
The latest turmoil has prompted curfew measures in several urban centers, with hospitals like the National Trauma Center treating numerous casualties from the clashes, some critically injured.
As protesters outside Parliament shouted, Stop the ban on social media. Stop corruption, not social media, the situation underscored a young generation's growing frustration over governmental restrictions on digital expression in a rapidly changing political landscape.
Meanwhile, companies like Google (YouTube) and Meta (Facebook) have not publicly commented on the recent developments, leaving many in uncertainty regarding their response to the Nepalese government's demands.
The protests are emblematic of a broader global struggle for digital rights and the preservation of free speech in the face of increasing political pressures.
