Nepal government restores social media access after protests push government to reverse ban

The government had banned 26 platforms, including Facebook and X, three days earlier, saying they had failed to register with authorities.

By: Express Web Desk

Updated: September 9, 2025 12:58 AM IST

1 min read

A policemen fires a tear gas shell towards protesters during clashes outside the parliament building in Kathmandu, Nepal, Monday, Sept. 8, 2025. (AP)

Nepal’s government on Monday lifted its ban on social media platforms after violent protests led by young people left at least 19 people dead and more than 300 injured, the Press Trust of India (PTI) reported.

Minister for Communication, Information and Broadcasting Prithvi Subba Gurung said the Cabinet decided to withdraw the restrictions at an emergency meeting.

“The Ministry of Information has ordered the concerned agencies to start the process of resuming the social media sites as per the demands of the ‘Gen Z’,” Gurung said, according to PTI. He also urged the youth-led group to call off its protest.

The government had banned 26 platforms, including Facebook and X, three days earlier, saying they had failed to register with authorities.

Protests escalated on Monday when demonstrators entered the parliament compound in Kathmandu, prompting police to fire tear gas, water cannons and live rounds, eyewitnesses told PTI.

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