Nepal Grapples with Protests Following Social Media Ban; Parliament Breached

Nepal is experiencing widespread unrest in response to the recent ban on social media apps. Thousands of young people from the Gen-Z generation spearheaded aggressive demonstrations, with a significant number entering the parliament in Kathmandu. In an attempt to control the situation, police used tear gas and allegedly opened fire on the protestors. Curfews were immediately put in place near the residences of the President, Vice President, and Prime Minister. Protesters expressed their disapproval of the government, citing unemployment, corruption, and the economic recession as key concerns. Protests also occurred in various other areas, including Biratnagar, Bharatpur, and Pokhara. On September 4th, the government led by Prime Minister K.P. Oli banned 26 social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp, Reddit, and X. The young people say that this ban is negatively affecting both their studies and their business.