The rollback followed nationwide youth-led demonstrations against censorship and corruption, which escalated into one of Nepal’s deadliest crackdowns.
BY PC Bureau
Sept 8, 2025 – In a dramatic turnaround, the Nepalese government has revoked its controversial ban on social media platforms following nationwide protests that left 19 people dead and hundreds injured. The decision, announced late Monday, came after days of violent unrest sparked by the blocking of 26 unregistered platforms, including Facebook, YouTube, and X.
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli said his government would work to “ensure conducive use of social media,” pledging future regulations to curb misuse without curtailing free expression.
Protests Erupt Over Blackout
The crisis began on Friday when authorities restricted access to social media, citing concerns over unregulated online content. Outrage quickly spread, and by Sunday thousands of demonstrators, many of them students, flooded the streets of Kathmandu waving national flags and placards reading “Shut down corruption, not social media”.
READ: Nepal Home Minister Quits After 20 Killed in Gen Z Uprising, Army Deployed
Protesters breached restricted zones near Parliament and even scaled the walls of Singha Durbar, the prime minister’s office. Security forces opened fire to disperse crowds, leaving 19 dead and more than 250 injured. Hospitals in the capital were overwhelmed.
STORY | After violent protests, Nepal government lifts ban on social media
The Nepal government on Monday announced that it has withdrawn its earlier decision to ban social media sites amid violent protests by youths that left at least 19 people dead and over 300 others injured.… pic.twitter.com/r6wc3T3QEI
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 8, 2025
A curfew was imposed in key government zones, including Parliament and the president’s residence, but the move deepened anger, with critics calling it another attempt to silence dissent.
Government Reverses Course
On Monday, the Council of Ministers held an emergency meeting. Information Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung announced that the cabinet had decided to lift the ban, conceding that the restrictions had become a flashpoint. “It has been decided to open the social networks as there is an agitation using this as an excuse,” he said.
Prime Minister Oli, in a separate statement, stressed that while platforms would be restored, measures were needed to prevent “misuse of social media.” Analysts say the rollback is a pragmatic step to de-escalate tensions, though anger over the loss of lives continues to haunt the government.
Political Fallout
The violence has already claimed political casualties. Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak offered his resignation, citing “moral responsibility” for the deaths. While it remains unclear if his resignation will be accepted, the gesture underlines the gravity of the crisis.
The National Human Rights Commission condemned the “excessive use of force” by security personnel and urged accountability. Civil society groups and opposition parties are demanding an independent probe into the killings.
Broader Implications
The unrest has exposed Nepal’s deep frustrations with governance and corruption, far beyond the social media ban itself. Protesters, led largely by Gen Z but supported by older generations, have reframed the movement as a broader civil rights struggle demanding transparency and accountability.
With the curfew still in force and security forces on alert, Nepal now faces the challenge of restoring calm while addressing long-term grievances. The government’s handling of regulations, accountability for the violence, and response to Lekhak’s resignation will determine whether the Himalayan nation can heal from one of its deadliest episodes of civil unrest in recent years.
