Thousands of young Nepalis marched in the capital Kathmandu on Monday and demand that the government to cancel its ban on social media platforms and end the culture of corruption permeating the country, AFP reported.
Several sites on social media, including Facebook, YouTube and X, have been on Nepal since Friday after the government blocked 26 unregistered platforms, which remained angry and confused by users.
Also read: “Can’t reach the page”: Why Nepal banned WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Country?
Popular platforms, such as Instagram, have millions of users in Nepal who rely on entertainment, news and business. Demonstrators waved the national flags and started protest with the national anthem before they released the singing against the turbidity and corruption of social media.
What did the Nepalese young people say?
“We were launched a ban on social media, but that’s not the only reason we gathered here,” said Yujan Rajbhandari, 24 years old, as AFP says.
“We protest against corruption that has been institutionalized in Nepal.”
Another student of IKSham Tumrok, 20, said she was protesting against the “authoritarian attitude” of the government.
“We want to see a change. Others have endured it, but it must end our generations,” AFP said.
Demonstrators are gathering at the entrance to parliament during protest against corruption and the government’s decision to block several platforms of social media in Kathmandu, Nepal on September 8, 2025. Reuters/NAESH Chitrakar
Also read: Nepal, Bhutan citizens can now enter India without passport and visa, MHA says in its new directive
The prohibition contrasts with the struggle of ordinary Nepal with the children of politicians who boasted of luxury goods and expensive holidays, on a tiktoku, which still works.
“There was a movement abroad against corruption, and they (the government) are afraid that it could happen here,” said protesting Bhumika Bharati.
Why did Nepal ban social media?
Last month, the Cabinet decided to provide affected companies for seven days to register in Nepal, set up a contact point and determine the resident for manipulating the complaint and the compliance official.
The decision came after the Supreme Court’s order in September last year.
In its statement issued on Sunday, the Nepalese government confirmed its respect for freedom of thinking and speech and recorded its obligation to ensure their protection and free exercise.
Also read: Nepal PM Oli raises an objection to the agreement of India-China to use Lipulemh as a trade route to meet Xi Jinping
However, Nepal has the history of restrictions on access to popular online platforms. In July, it blocked the telegram for sending messages and quoted concerns about growing online fraud and money washing.
Previously, in August last year, the government canceled a nine -month prohibition of tiktoku after the platform agreed to comply with the Nepalese regulations.
(Tagstotranslate) prohibition of social media
