Protests against corruption in Nepal have resulted in fatalities, prompting a warning for Canadian citizens to exercise caution.

Unrest in Nepal: Protests Continue Despite Lifting of Social Media Ban

The political landscape of Nepal is once again in turmoil, as protests continue to rock the nation, despite the recent lifting of a ban on social media platforms. The ongoing unrest, which has led to the cancellation or closure of all flights out of the Tribhuvan International Airport, is a response to a multitude of issues, including the government's failure to address corruption and boost economic opportunities, as well as the controversial social media ban.

The protests are being led by a group known as "Generation Z", primarily consisting of students and young citizens. They began demonstrating after the government implemented a ban on social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, and are demanding significant political changes, including an end to corruption, transparency, government accountability, and, ultimately, a complete change of power.

The organizers of these latest protests have been met with force, as they were subjected to live ammunition, water cannons, and tear gas. The escalating clashes between demonstrators and security forces have led to local authorities issuing curfews in several districts of the Kathmandu Valley.

The Nepalese government announced last week that it would be cracking down on misinformation and hate speech and threatened to block any social media companies that failed to register with authorities. The proposal to register social media companies has been met with wide criticisms, with many viewing it as a tool for censorship and curbing freedom of expression.

The ban on social media platforms has since been lifted, but the protests continue. Canadian officials are advising those in Nepal to avoid demonstrations and government buildings, and Canada has issued a travel advisory urging citizens to exercise a high degree of caution in Nepal.

The violence that occurred during the protests has not yet been addressed by the Nepalese government, and at least 22 people have been killed and hundreds injured. The unrest in Nepal, which has a history of turbulent politics, having seen more than a dozen governments since transitioning to a republic from a monarchy in 2008, is a stark reminder of the challenges facing the nation.

In a recent development, Nepali Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned on Tuesday, but it remains to be seen how this will impact the ongoing protests and the future of Nepalese politics. The people of Nepal continue to demand change, and it is hoped that their voices will be heard and their demands met in the days and weeks to come.