Home Minister Resigns, 20 Dead and Social Media Ban Lifted… What Did Gen-Z Protesters Achieve in Nepal?

At least 20 people were killed and over 300 injured in violent protests against the social media ban in Nepal on Monday. The worsening unrest forced the army to deploy in Kathmandu. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli expressed sorrow over the deaths and stated that violence erupted due to infiltration by “some unwanted elements,” while insisting that the government aimed to regulate social media platforms rather than impose a permanent ban.

On Monday, violent protests broke out in Nepal after the government imposed a ban on social media platforms, creating chaos across several regions. At least 20 people lost their lives and more than 300 were injured during police action. Amid the escalating crisis, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned from his post, and the Nepalese army was deployed in the capital city of Kathmandu. Security forces took control of the streets surrounding the Parliament complex in New Baneshwar.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli expressed condolences over the deaths and claimed that the protests were initially peaceful but turned violent due to infiltration by “some unwanted elements.” He said the government was compelled to use force to protect public property. According to him, the objective was not to impose a complete ban on social media platforms but to regulate them. The Prime Minister also announced the formation of an investigation committee that will submit its report within 15 days.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung, after an emergency cabinet meeting, declared that the government had withdrawn the social media ban. He said relevant agencies were instructed to immediately begin the process of restoring access to the platforms. He further appealed to the “Gen-Z” demonstrators to end their protests.

Thousands of young people, including school students, gathered outside Parliament under the banner of “Gen Z,” raising slogans against the government. Some protesters forced their way into the parliamentary premises. Police responded with water cannons, tear gas, and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd.

Casualties and Home Minister’s Resignation

Nepal Police spokesperson Binod Ghimire confirmed that 17 people died in Kathmandu and two more were killed in Sunsari district during police firing. Another person succumbed to injuries in clashes elsewhere. The violence also spread to Pokhara, Butwal, Bharatpur, Itahari, and Damak. Following these deadly confrontations, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, representing the Nepali Congress Party, resigned on moral grounds. Party sources revealed that he handed his resignation to Prime Minister Oli during a cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister’s residence in the evening.

Overcrowded Hospitals Struggling

According to The Kathmandu Post, eight people died at the National Trauma Center, three each at Everest and Civil Hospitals, two at Kathmandu Medical College, and one at Tribhuvan Teaching Hospital. Across Nepal, more than 347 injured protesters are undergoing treatment. Major hospitals are running out of space, forcing many patients to be shifted to other facilities.

Government Clarifies Intent

Following the violence, curfew was imposed in several areas including Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Pokhara, Butwal, and Itahari. Authorities made it clear that in restricted zones, no demonstrations, sit-ins, or gatherings would be allowed.

Earlier, the Nepalese government had banned 26 social media platforms including Facebook, WhatsApp, X, Instagram, and YouTube after they failed to register with the authorities within the prescribed time. Officials maintained that the move was purely for regulatory purposes, but citizens feared it was a direct attack on freedom of expression and an attempt at censorship.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Oli had asserted that his government would always oppose “irregularities and arrogance” and would reject any steps that weakened the nation. He said the ruling party was not against social media itself, but objected to foreign companies earning profits in Nepal without adhering to its laws. Referring to criticism of the ban, Oli described the demonstrators and dissenting voices as “puppets protesting only for the sake of protest.”

Journalists and Associations Protest

Journalists staged a sit-in in Kathmandu, calling the ban an assault on press freedom. The Computer Association of Nepal (CAN) warned that blocking platforms like Facebook, X, and YouTube would deeply affect education, business, communication, and everyday life.

CAN President Sunena Ghimire cautioned that Nepal risked falling behind in the digital age if such measures continued. Meanwhile, a hashtag “Nepo Kid” went viral on social media, where young people accused children of politicians and elites of enjoying privileges gained through corruption.