BREAKING NEWS
Revolution in Nepal, Population sets fire to the parliament and the headquarters of the largest party in that country, after the government imposed a social media blockade 😭😭😭
The Prime Minister of Nepal, KP Sharma Oli, resigned from his position on Tuesday, pressured by widespread popular protests that spread throughout the country against government-imposed restrictions on social media and against corruption in public service. The resignation comes one day after clashes between protesters and police ended with 25 and on the same day that new demonstrations were called, including one that set fire to the Parliament. On Tuesday, the wife of a former premier died when the house she lived in was set on fire by the crowd.
In his fourth term as prime minister, the leader of the Communist Party faced a turbulent internal scenario, with growing popular discontent over political instability, corruption, and low economic growth — the unemployment rate is approaching 10%, and the per capita GDP is only 1,447 dollars, according to data from the World Bank. The decisive factor, however, was the angry response to the standoff between the government and technology giants.
The crisis began to form on Thursday, when the government determined the blocking of 26 social networks in its territory, including Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and YouTube, for not having registration with the federal administration. The issue had already been deliberated by the Supreme Court of the country in 2023, but the companies never registered or appointed a local representative in charge of managing possible litigation.
The ban provoked outrage in social sectors, especially among the youth — something significant in a country that has 43% of the population between 15 and 43 years old. Starting Friday, videos contrasting the hardships of ordinary Nepalis and the luxurious lives of politicians' children, flaunting luxury goods, were widely shared on TikTok, one of the networks that was not blocked. On Monday, protesters took to the streets of Kathmandu and other cities.
The main act in the capital was harshly repressed by the police. Initial reports indicated the use of rubber bullets, tear gas, water cannons, and batons against the public when they attempted to enter a prohibited area near Parliament. Amnesty International later reported the use of lethal ammunition.
Nineteen people died, according to the government's official data. A police spokesman cited 400 injured, among civilians and police officers.
"It is not just about social networks, it is about trust, corruption, and a generation that refuses to remain silent," wrote the Kathmandu Post. "Generation Z grew up with smartphones, global trends, and promises of a federal and prosperous Nepal. For them, digital freedom is personal freedom. Cutting access is like silencing an entire generation."
In light of the crisis, the government lifted the ban on access to the platforms, which the Minister of Communication, Prithvi Subba Gurung, defined as one of the "demands of Generation Z". Three ministers offered their resignations before the premier, which was not enough to contain the protests, with scenes of violence being recorded this Tuesday.