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Nepal Gen Z Protests: The Nepal government on Monday night lifted the ban it imposed on social media sites after violent protests by youngsters left at least 19 people dead and more than 300 injured. In the latest development Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli resigned on Tuesday, his aide Prakash Silwal said.

Nepal's demonstrators vandalized the private residence of President Ramchandra Paudel in Bohratar, Kathmandu, on Tuesday, reportedly setting parts of the property on fire, as per The Himalayan Times.

While nearly every major social media platform was abruptly blocked across Nepal, TikTok managed to stay online and it all came down to one reason: compliance. Unlike others, the popular short-video app had already registered with the Nepalese government, fulfilling new regulatory requirements that were introduced under recently passed digital communication laws. This move ensured TikTok remained operational even as 25 other platforms, including Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and X, were banned for failing to do the same.

ALSO READ: Nepal Government Lifts Ban On Social Media After 19 Killed, 250 Injured In Deadly Protest

What Is Happening In Nepal?

On September 4, the government imposed a sweeping ban on multiple global platforms, including WhatsApp, LinkedIn, Reddit, Pinterest, and Signal. Authorities stated the decision was based on the failure of these companies to formally register their operations within Nepal, as required by updated national regulations. The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology had issued repeated notices, urging tech firms to comply.

The reaction was immediate and explosive.

ALSO READ: Nepal Gen Z Protests LIVE: PM Oli Resigns Amid Violent Protests; Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan Airport Shut

Just days later, Nepal was rocked by intense protests, mainly led by Gen Z demonstrators accusing the government of using the ban to distract from corruption scandals. Slogans like "Shut down corruption and not social media" and "Youths against corruption" appeared on placards across the capital and other cities.

What started as digital outrage quickly escalated into street clashes. On Monday night, protests turned deadly, with at least 19 people killed and more than 300 injured. Demonstrators stormed government buildings, attacked party offices, and even targeted the residence of President Ramchandra Paudel in Bohratar, setting parts of the property on fire, according to The Himalayan Times.

Facing intense pressure and national unrest, the government reversed its decision. On September 8, just four days after the ban, Nepal’s Minister for Communication, Information and Broadcasting, Prithvi Subba Gurung, announced the ban had been lifted following an emergency Cabinet meeting.

He said the government was “addressing the demand of Gen-Z.”

Nepalese Prime Minister's Resignation

By Tuesday, chaos had spread across Kathmandu and other parts of the country. Violent mobs clashed with police, who reportedly used tear gas to control crowds. Though authorities insisted that “no live ammunition was authorized,” multiple reports, including those from The Himalayan Times, claimed there were injuries from gunfire.

As a response to the crisis, Tribhuvan International Airport was shut down entirely, while the government imposed curfews in several districts to curb the violence.

That same day, Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli resigned, a move confirmed by his aide, Prakash Silwal.

TikTok Was Banned In 2023

While TikTok had previously been banned in 2023 for allegedly disrupting “social harmony,” the platform made a comeback after agreeing to abide by Nepal’s laws. The government at the time said the app’s content was spreading indecent material and undermining national unity. Then-Foreign Minister Narayan Prakash Saud said the aim was to get companies to register, pay taxes, and maintain accountability.

In August 2024, the new administration under Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli officially lifted the earlier ban on TikTok. He emphasized that “all social media sites should be treated equally.” TikTok’s leadership also assured Nepalese authorities that the platform would respect the country's legal framework, including Nepal's 2018 law banning pornographic content.

According to the Associated Press, aside from TikTok, only three other platforms had complied with registration rules and were allowed to operate without interruptions.

Meanwhile, the international community is watching closely. The United Nations has called for a “swift and transparent probe” into the deadly violence, urging the Nepalese government to ensure justice and uphold democratic freedoms in the wake of the protests.