Nepal’s Prime Minister Resigns Amid Protests

In the wake of the opposing response, the government's social media restrictions were rolled back, even still, the protests continue.

Nepal’s prime minister has resigned after a social media ban resulted in violent protests that left at least 19 people dead and over 400 injured.

The ban on social media included platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and YouTube. The ban was viewed by many as an attack on freedom of speech. It was also an example of what some describe as the government’s corrupt nature.

In the wake of the opposing response, the government’s social media restrictions were rolled back, even still, the protests continue. In the capital, protestors were reportedly setting homes of political leaders on fire. An indefinite curfew was put in place and the Tribhuvan Airport has been shut down, with all flights cancelled.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli blamed “external infiltrators” for violence. Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned first, saying he was taking responsibility for the situation. Oli is also stepping down aiming to “facilitate the solution to the problem and to help resolve it politically in accordance with the constitution.”