Recently, Nepal withdrew its decision to ban social media, but the number of protesters across the country did not decline. The Nepalese government had blocked major social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp, claiming that the companies failed to register locally. The stated reason was compliance with Supreme Court directives for better regulation and accountability of online activities. However, this move provoked strong resistance, particularly from Gen-Z youth, who took to the streets to oppose restrictions on freedom of expression. In many places, curfews were imposed, and protesters attempted to storm the parliament complex, triggering clashes and violence.

Even after the ban was lifted, the anger of Gen-Z and other communities extended far beyond social media access. While the restrictions unified public outrage, their roots lie in deeper national problems. In recent years, Nepal has seen persistent corruption, political nepotism, and rising economic inequality. Protesters accused top leaders and their relatives of amassing wealth, while most young people face unemployment, low wages, and are compelled to seek work abroad. Many regarded the social media ban as an attempt by the government to suppress dissent and censor criticism, rather than a genuine regulatory action.

The protests soon involved people from various age groups, demanding accountability and reforms from the government. At the grassroots, people spoke out against corruption, the economic crisis, and restrictions on free speech. Reports confirm that at least 19 people died and more than a hundred were injured during demonstrations against the ban. Faced with such intense unrest, the Nepalese government was compelled to revoke the social media ban immediately, but protestors persisted in highlighting systemic political and economic challenges.

Of Nepal’s 29 million population, nearly 7.5 percent live abroad, and social media is vital for maintaining connections with family and workplaces. The government’s efforts to regulate these platforms created discontent among those who rely on them for daily interaction. Additionally, the viral ‘Nepo Babies’ trend on social media fueled resentment against politicians’ families and their extravagant lifestyles. Many demonstrators labeled the government’s actions as authoritarian and censorship-driven, turning the movement into a call for broader political and social reforms instead of merely restoring digital platforms.