UPDATE: THE NEPAL GOVT HAS LIFTED ITS NATIONWIDE BAN ON SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS AFTER VIOLENT PROTESTS ON MONDAY LEFT AT LEAST 19 PEOPLE DEAD. (PHOTO).

 The Nepal government has lifted its nationwide ban on social media platforms after violent protests on Monday left at least 19 people dead, marking one of the bloodiest crackdowns in the country’s recent history. The unrest was fueled by public anger over corruption, lack of opportunities, and restrictions on online freedoms.

The demonstrations, largely led by school and college students, began peacefully in Kathmandu and other major cities. However, tensions spiraled out of control outside Parliament, where security forces opened fire on the crowd and used tear gas after protesters attempted to breach barricades. According to official reports, 17 people were killed in the capital, while two others lost their lives in the eastern city of Itahari. Dozens more sustained injuries.

In response to the escalating violence, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli convened an emergency cabinet meeting late on Monday. The government later announced the lifting of the controversial social media ban, which had blocked access to Facebook, YouTube, and X. Authorities had earlier defended the ban as a move to curb “fake news” and enforce registration compliance by global tech firms, but critics widely condemned it as an attempt to suppress dissent.

Even as the ban was revoked, Oli’s administration stopped short of accepting responsibility for the killings. In a statement, the Prime Minister attributed the chaos to “infiltrating groups” and dismissed demands for his resignation. Government spokesperson and Minister for Communication and Information Technology Prithivi Subba Gurung reinforced this position, confirming that Oli would continue in office.

For many young Nepalis, however, the issue went far beyond access to social media. The protests reflected deeper frustrations over corruption, economic stagnation, and a growing disconnect between the ruling elite and the country’s youth. The scale and intensity of Monday’s demonstrations underscore a generational demand for accountability and reform, one that the government may find increasingly difficult to ignore.