Protesters invade parliament with gas masks after police discharge tear gas, sparked by online uproar over social media restrictions and government corruption allegations in Nepal.
In the heart of Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, tensions ran high on September 8 as thousands of protesters took to the streets, rallying against a social media shutdown and alleged government corruption.
The curfew, initially imposed to maintain order, remains in effect until 10pm local time. This move comes amidst global efforts by governments, including the US, EU, Brazil, India, China, and Australia, to tighten oversight of social media and Big Tech. Nepal, too, is cracking down on the misuse of social media platforms, with the government claiming that users with fake IDs have been spreading hate speech, fake news, committing fraud, and other crimes via some platforms.
The protest, which saw protesters carrying placards with slogans such as "Shut down corruption and not social media", "Unban social media", and "Youths against corruption", was met with a strong police presence. Officers used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse protesters trying to break into parliament. According to Muktiram Rijal, a spokesperson for the Kathmandu district office, the curfew was imposed due to the protesters turning violent.
The opposition, led by political figures like Atul Chandra and Pramesh Pokharel, has been vocal in their criticism of Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli's government for failing to keep its promises. Many people in Nepal believe corruption is rampant, and the government has been criticised for its inability to deliver on its promises. The protests and opposition focus on corruption and unfulfilled economic promises under Oli's government. Activists from the "Gen Z" movement have also been significant players in the protests.
Today, thousands of youths, including students in school or college uniforms, were stopped by police from marching towards the parliament building. The situation in Kathmandu remains volatile due to the protest and subsequent curfew.
Last week, access to several social media platforms, including Facebook, was blocked in Nepal due to failure to register with authorities. The authorities imposed a curfew around the parliament building after thousands of protesters tried to enter the legislature by breaking a police barricade.
As the situation unfolds, the international community is closely watching Nepal, hoping for a peaceful resolution and a return to free expression, a fundamental right in any democratic society.
