Nepal Protests: PM Oli Calls Urgent All-Party Meet
Nepal Social Media Ban sparks Gen-Z protest; PM Oli under pressure, violence escalates, Indian embassy in New Delhi urges citizens in Nepal to remain vigilant, follow safety guidelines, and avoid protest-hit areas immediately.
On Tuesday evening, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli called for an all-party meeting at 6 pm, seeking a political consensus after the capital was once again rocked by widespread chaos.
The Kathmandu Post. The flames didn’t stop there—angry demonstrators went further, targeting the private residence of Minister for Communication and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung, also in Lalitpur.
The scale of violence forced the Kathmandu District Administration Office to impose an indefinite curfew from 8:30 am Tuesday, which remains in effect until further notice. Streets that were once buzzing with everyday life now appear deserted, with security forces patrolling key areas to prevent further escalation.
Meanwhile, New Delhi issued an advisory to Indian nationals living in Nepal, urging them to remain cautious and strictly follow guidelines issued by local authorities. The advisory came amid growing concerns that the unrest could spill over the 1,751-km open border shared between the two nations. Indian security forces have been placed on heightened alert as a precautionary measure.
This fresh wave of agitation erupted just a day after the Nepal government lifted its controversial ban on social media platforms. The ban, which critics called draconian and unnecessary, had initially sparked nationwide anger, particularly among young Nepalis who saw it as an attack on their freedom of expression. For Gen-Z, already disillusioned by corruption and lack of opportunities, the ban became a rallying point.
Sadly, the protests have already taken a heavy toll. Reports confirm that at least 19 people have lost their lives, while more than 400 have been injured in clashes with security forces over the past few days.
The crisis has left Nepal at a critical juncture. For them, this is no longer just about social media—it is about accountability, corruption, and the future of their democracy.