Nepal has lifted its ban on social media platforms following violent protests that left at least 19 people dead and hundreds injured, the government confirmed on Tuesday.

“Social media platforms have been opened, which was among the Gen Z’s demands,” Minister for Communication Prithvi Subba Gurung told AFP. “We are open to talk with the protesters.”

Nepal has lifted its ban on social media platforms following violent protests that left at least 19 people dead and hundreds injured, the government confirmed on Tuesday.

“Social media platforms have been opened, which was among the Gen Z’s demands,” Minister for Communication Prithvi Subba Gurung told AFP. “We are open to talk with the protesters.”

The rollback came just days after authorities blocked access to Facebook, YouTube, X (formerly Twitter), and 23 other platforms, citing unregistered operations. The move sparked outrage, especially among young Nepalis who rely heavily on digital platforms for communication, news, and business.

On Monday, police unleashed one of the harshest crackdowns in recent memory when thousands of young protesters defied restrictions in Kathmandu and other cities. Demonstrators pushed through barbed wire near parliament, clashed with security forces, and set fire to tyres while chanting anti-government slogans.