NEW DELHI: Protests intensified across Nepal on Monday after the government banned 26 social media websites and mobile applications, sparking widespread outrage, particularly among Gen Z demonstrators.
The clashes with cops left 16 protesters dead and over 42 injured, according to Himalayan Times news agency.
According to the Kathmandu Post, protesters vandalised parliament gates and police opened fire at multiple locations, leaving several injured, with casualties feared. Demonstrations erupted over allegations of corruption and the government’s decision to restrict popular online platforms.
The ban came after a deadline for mandatory registration of social media platforms expired last week. The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, led by Minister Prithivi Subba Gurung, decided to restrict apps that failed to comply with registration rules despite repeated warnings.
Full list of apps banned in Nepal
The 26 apps banned by the Nepalese government include Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp, X, LinkedIn, Snapchat, Reddit, Discord, Pinterest, Signal, Threads, WeChat, Quora, Tumblr, Clubhouse, Mastodon, Rumble, VK, Line, IMO, Zalo, Soul, and Hamro Patro.
Apps such as Viber, TikTok, Wetalk, and Nimbuzz remain accessible, while Telegram and Global Diary are still undergoing registration.
'Independence grater than loss of jobs': Nepal PM
In a speech on Sunday, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli defended the move, saying, “The independence of the nation is greater than the loss of jobs of a handful of individuals. How can it be acceptable to defy the law, disregard the constitution, and disrespect national dignity, independence, and sovereignty?”
Officials say the decision was taken because the companies had not opened offices in Nepal. However, the legal framework cited in the ban, “Operation, Use, and Regulation of Social Media in Nepal,” is yet to be passed by parliament.
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