Protest against ban on social media in Nepal, lakhs of youth took to the streets; 19 people have died so far in violent protests

News Topical, Digital Desk : After Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, now the youth in Nepal have also revolted against the government. Thousands of youth under the banner of Gen-G have staged violent protests in the capital Kathmandu and various cities in protest against the ban on internet media and the corruption prevailing in the country. Hundreds of students were seen in school and college uniforms among the protesters.

At least 19 people, including a 12-year-old schoolboy, were killed and about 350 were injured in the action of security forces against violent protesters. Along with curfew in Kathmandu, the army has been deployed. Curfew has been imposed in many other cities as well. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli called an emergency cabinet meeting to discuss the situation.

Home Minister resigned

Later, Home Minister in Nepal's coalition government and Nepali Congress leader Ramesh Lekhak resigned from his post taking moral responsibility. In view of the violence in Nepal, the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) deployed in the security of the border in India has increased vigilance. The Oli government had banned 26 internet media platforms including Facebook, Whatsapp and X. This action was taken on September 4 for not getting registered.

About 90 percent of Nepal's population of about 30 million uses the Internet. According to the Kathmandu Post, thousands of youth gathered in front of the Parliament building in Kathmandu on Monday and raised anti-government slogans demanding the immediate lifting of the ban. The protesters were carrying flags and posters on which slogans such as "Stop corruption, not internet media"; "Remove ban on internet media" and "Youth against corruption" were written.

Stones pelted on Parliament security personnel

According to eyewitnesses, the protest turned violent when some protesters broke through barricades and entered the Parliament premises, set an ambulance on fire and pelted stones at Parliament security personnel. The police then had to use lathicharge, tear gas shells, aerial firing and rubber bullets to disperse the protesters.

A police spokesman said 17 people were killed during clashes in different parts of Kathmandu, while two people were killed in police firing in Sunsari district of eastern Nepal. Following the violence, curfew has been imposed in the areas around Parliament House, Rashtrapati Bhavan, Vice President's residence and Prime Minister's Office.

Protesters consider it an attack on freedom of speech

The violent protests of Gen-G have also spread to Biratnagar, Bharatpur, Pokhara, Butwal, Chitwan, Nepalgunj, Bhairahawa, Itahari (Sunsari), Lalitpur, Jhapa and Damak cities. Apart from Kathmandu, curfew has been imposed in Lalitpur, Pokhara, Butwal and Itahari. In Jhapa, protesters also pelted stones at Prime Minister Oli's residence.

Although the government is saying that the ban has been imposed to regulate the platforms, people believe that this will attack freedom of expression and may lead to censorship. The protesters also believe that there is a lot of corruption in the country and the Oli government is not fulfilling its promises.

Journalists had also protested a day earlier

On Sunday, dozens of journalists also protested against the government's decision at Maitighar Mandala in central Kathmandu. Nepal Computer Association (CAN) said that the simultaneous shutdown of important platforms like Facebook, X and YouTube can have a serious impact on education, business, communication and the daily life of common people. Also, this step can take Nepal back in the digital world.

PM Oli said - not against internet media platforms

Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli said, "We are not against the platforms or the internet media, but we are against non-compliance with the law and order, arrogance and insult to our country. For a year, we told the internet media to register under Nepal's law, pay taxes and be accountable. But the companies did not follow the rules. It cannot be accepted that someone does business in Nepal, earns money and still does not follow the law."

Restricted Platforms

Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, YouTube, Whatsapp, X, LinkedIn, Snapchat, Reddit, Discord, Pinterest, Tencent, Signal, Threads, WeChat, Quora, Tumblr, Clubhouse, Mastodon, Rumble, VK, Line, IMO, Jello, Soul and Hamro Patro

Read More: Major accident before Israel-Hamas ceasefire summit, how did 3 diplomats lose their lives in this country?