In a dramatic escalation of state control, the Nepalese government has imposed a complete ban on several major social media platforms, including TikTok and Facebook. This drastic measure is a direct response to days of violent and deadly protests that have shaken the capital, Kathmandu.
The unrest was ignited by a contentious new bill, the ‘Bill to Prevent and Control Organized Crime’, which opposition leaders and activists decry as a thinly veiled tool for authoritarian overreach. Protesters allege the legislation will grant the government sweeping powers to silence dissent and target political opponents under the guise of fighting corruption.
A City in Turmoil
The situation on the streets has turned critical. Reports confirm at least two fatalities and numerous injuries as clashes between demonstrators and police intensify. Security forces have resorted to using tear gas and water cannons in a bid to disperse the crowds, who are demanding the immediate withdrawal of the bill.
The government, however, remains defiant. Officials have justified the social media shutdown as a ‘necessary step to prevent the spread of misinformation’ and to maintain public order. The Home Ministry stated the ban would remain in effect until further notice, effectively cutting off a vital channel for communication and organisation for the protest movement.
International Condemnation and Digital Rights
The move has drawn swift condemnation from digital rights groups and international observers. Critics are labelling the blackout a severe violation of digital freedom and the right to free expression. “This is a classic move by an regime seeking to suppress opposition and control the narrative,” a spokesperson for a digital advocacy group stated.
This is not Nepal's first attempt to regulate online spaces. The country had previously attempted to mandate licensing for social media companies, a move that was widely criticised and subsequently paused. The current total ban marks a significant and worrying hardening of the government's position.
As the digital blackout continues, the world watches to see if the government’s iron-fist approach will quell the uprising or if it will only serve to fuel further anger and resistance on the streets of Kathmandu.
