Nepal erupted in widespread protests following the government's abrupt repeal of a controversial social media ban, culminating in the shocking resignation of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda).

The ban, imposed ostensibly to curb the spread of misinformation and maintain order amidst a tense political climate, had sparked outrage from the public, civil society groups, and the media, who viewed it as a blatant attempt to stifle dissent and freedom of expression.

The protests, initially small gatherings in Kathmandu, rapidly escalated into nationwide demonstrations.

Students, activists, and ordinary citizens took to the streets, waving banners and chanting slogans demanding the reinstatement of the ban and accountability for the government's actions.

Reports of clashes with security forces emerged, with images and videos circulating online (ironically, despite the repealed ban) showcasing confrontations and instances of police brutality.

These images fueled further outrage and broadened the scope of the protests.

The social media ban, implemented just weeks prior, had severely curtailed access to platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

While the government argued the measure was necessary to prevent the spread of false narratives and maintain peace, critics pointed to the lack of transparency and the disproportionate impact on journalists and activists who rely on these platforms to share information and engage in public discourse.

The swift reversal of the ban, rather than easing tensions, only amplified suspicions that the government had acted hastily and under immense pressure, further fueling public distrust.

The pressure mounted on Prime Minister Dahal, who faced accusations of authoritarianism and a lack of responsiveness to public concerns.

The scale and intensity of the protests, along with mounting criticism from within his own coalition, ultimately forced his hand.

His unexpected resignation announcement, delivered in a televised address, was met with a mixture of surprise, relief, and continued unease.

While the immediate crisis might have been averted, the underlying issues of freedom of speech, government accountability, and political stability in Nepal remain unresolved, leaving the nation's future uncertain.

The protests serve as a potent reminder of the power of citizen mobilization in challenging government actions and demanding greater transparency and democratic participation.

The long-term consequences of this dramatic turn of events remain to be seen, with the possibility of further political instability and ongoing social unrest looming large.

Kathmandu — Nepal's Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli announced his resignation on Tuesday as the country was rocked by a second day of violent unrest that began as  platforms. Clashes between young demonstrators and police on Monday turned violent, with police killing 19 people.

Protesters in Nepal's capital defied a curfew on Tuesday to continue venting their rage at the government a day after the deadly crackdown. Oli, 73, quit shortly after protesters set fire to his house, writing in his resignation letter that he hoped it would help "towards a political solution and resolution of the problems" in the country.

Protesters also set fire to parliament on Tuesday, and Oli's whereabouts were not immediately clear.

The protests, which began on Monday with demands that the government lift a ban on social media and tackle corruption, reignited despite the apps being allowed to go back online.

Kathmandu police spokesman Shekhar Khanal said several groups had refused to obey a curfew on Tuesday, telling AFP there were protesters in the streets in many areas including "cases of fire and attacks."

Some targeted the properties of politicians and government buildings, according to an AFP photographer and local media reports. 

According to The Associated Press, the homes of the leader of the largest political party in the country, Nepali Congress, along with President Ram Chandra Poudel, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak and leader of the Communist party of Nepal were among those set on fire. A private school owned by the foreign minister was also set on fire.

There were unconfirmed reports that the wife of former prime minister and communist party leader, Jhala Nath Khanal, who served as the premier for less than a year in 2011, was killed after becoming trapped in their home in Kathmandu when it was set on fire by protesters.

Oli, 73, had ordered a probe into the violence and on Tuesday said he would head all-party talks in a bid to bring about a "meaningful conclusion" to the violence. But not long after, local media said he was stepping down, and the Reuters news agency cited his aide Prakash Silwal as confirming the news.

The interior minister resigned on Monday, according to a government statement, while two others cabinet members had earlier quit on Tuesday, according to Nepali media.

"The social media platforms have been opened, which was among the Gen Z's demands," Minister for Communication Prithvi Subba Gurung told AFP, referring to young people aged largely in their 20s who have led the protests.

The social media ban fed into existing anger at the government in a country with a youth bulge. People aged 15-40 make up nearly 43% of the population, according to government statistics — while unemployment hovers around 10% and GDP per capita at just $1,447, according to the World Bank.

Slogans demanding accountability from the authorities have been a feature at the protests.

"Nearly 20 people were murdered by the state — that shows the scale of police brutality," 23-year-old student Yujan Rajbhandari, who took part in the demonstrations a day earlier, said Tuesday. "The government ... have to take responsibility for the lives that were lost."

Several social media sites — including Facebook, YouTube and X — were blocked Friday in the Himalayan nation of 30 million people, after the government cut access to 26 platforms that it said had failed to register as required. In addition to formal registration, the government had required the platforms to post a local liaison in Nepal.

Amnesty International said live ammunition was used against protesters on Monday, and the United Nations demanded a swift and transparent probe.

Police in Kathmandu on Monday clashed with the crowds when protesters pushed through barbed wire and tried to storm into a restricted area near parliament. Seventeen people were killed in Kathmandu, police said, and two more in the eastern district of Sunsari, according to local media.

Police said about 400 people were injured, including more than 100 police.

Since Friday, videos contrasting the struggles of ordinary Nepalis with the children of politicians flaunting luxury goods and expensive vacations have gone viral on TikTok, which was not blocked.

Popular platforms such as Instagram have millions of users in Nepal who rely on them for entertainment, news and business. Others rely on the apps for messaging.

"This isn't just about social media — it's about trust, corruption, and a generation that refuses to stay silent," the Kathmandu Post newspaper wrote. "Gen Z grew up with smartphones, global trends, and promises of a federal, prosperous Nepal."

"For them, digital freedom is personal freedom," the newspaper said. "Cutting off access feels like silencing an entire generation."

Nepal has restricted access to popular online platforms in the past, including to Telegram in July, citing a rise in online fraud. It lifted a nine-month ban on TikTok last year after the platform agreed to comply with Nepali regulations.

Oli, the often outspoken head of the Communist Party of Nepal — Unified Marxist-Leninist (CPN-UML), formed a government with the backing of the center-left Nepali Congress in 2024. 

Oli carefully crafted a cult-like image as his party's supreme leader, with life-size cutouts and banners of "KP Ba (father), we love you" seen at his rallies.

Political journalist Binu Subedi said he had "transformed the party's image as his own," but that an authoritarian streak had emerged.

Subedi said Oli had considered his word as "final," and rarely accepted criticism or suggestions, even from within his own party.