
Mon Sep 08 19:06:43 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the text and a rewritten news article based on it:
**Summary:**
The Nepalese government has reversed its ban on social media platforms following violent protests led by Gen Z. The protests, triggered by the ban and fueled by wider discontent over corruption, resulted in clashes with police and 19 deaths. The government claims the ban was implemented to combat the misuse of social media for spreading hate speech and fake news, but protesters argue it’s an attempt to stifle dissent. The ban, which targeted platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X, was lifted after a late-night decision and an appeal to protesters to end the demonstrations.
**News Article:**
**Nepal Lifts Social Media Ban After Deadly Protests**
**Kathmandu, Nepal** – The Nepalese government has rescinded its ban on social media platforms following days of violent protests that resulted in 19 deaths. The ban, which targeted major platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X, was initially implemented last week due to concerns over the spread of misinformation and hate speech.
The decision to reinstate access to social media came after escalating protests, primarily led by Gen Z, turned violent, culminating in clashes with police near the parliament building. Thousands of protesters, demanding an end to the ban and railing against government corruption, attempted to breach police barricades.
“The government has already decided to open social media by addressing the demand of Gen-Z,” announced Minister for Communications and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung in a late-night statement. He also appealed to the protesters to call off further demonstrations.
The government previously stated that the ban was necessary to combat the proliferation of fake accounts and the use of social media for criminal activities. However, critics argue that the ban was a thinly veiled attempt to suppress dissent and silence criticism of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s government, which has faced accusations of widespread corruption and failure to deliver on promises.
Protesters carried signs with slogans such as “Shut down corruption, not social media” and “Youths against corruption,” reflecting a wider sentiment of frustration with the government’s performance. The lifting of the ban represents a significant reversal for the government and underscores the power of social media and youth activism in Nepal. The situation remains tense, and it is unclear if the government’s decision will fully quell the unrest.