Kathmandu witnessed massive unrest on Sunday as tens of thousands of protestors surrounded Nepal’s Parliament, demonstrating against the government’s decision to ban most major social media platforms, including Facebook, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter).
According to reports, protestors pushed through barbed wire barricades near the Parliament building, forcing riot police to retreat. In response, security forces resorted to firing tear gas shells and using water cannons to disperse the angry crowd.
With the situation escalating rapidly, the Nepal government imposed a curfew in key parts of Kathmandu and deployed army personnel to maintain law and order.
The Associated Press reported that protestors waved flags and climbed atop vehicles near the Parliament’s entrance, demanding an immediate rollback of the ban.
The social media ban was announced last week after the platforms reportedly failed to register with Nepal’s authorities. The government defended its decision, stating that the platforms were being misused for spreading hate speech, fake news, and for committing online fraud.
However, critics argue that the move is an attack on freedom of speech and expression. The protests have now turned into one of the biggest anti-government demonstrations in recent years, sparking fears of prolonged unrest if the ban is not reconsidered.
