KATHMANDU, Feb 3: The government has approved the withdrawal of the Social Media Operation, Use and Regulation Bill, considered one of the key triggers of the September 8 Gen Z protests that toppled the previous government.
Government spokesperson and Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal said the cabinet meeting held on Tuesday decided to withdraw the bill from the federal parliament. The proposed law, which sought to regulate digital platforms and impose penalties on users and companies, had become a focal point of public anger and youth protests.
Govt approves new legislation to monitor social media
The then government had approved the bill on December 15, 2024 with provisions requiring social media companies to register with authorities and comply with government regulations. Nearly a year later, on September 5, 2025, the government blocked major platforms—including Facebook, X, and YouTube—after the companies failed to meet those requirements.
The shutdown of social media emerged as one of the main catalysts for mass protests led largely by Gen Z. Before the ban, there were calls for demonstration against alleged widespread corruption and demanding greater government accountability. The protest was also against the culture of ‘nepotism’ and ‘favourism’ which was rampantly prevalent in society. The blanket ban on social media apps further intensified the protests, drawing thousands of young people onto the streets.
The demonstrations turned violent after police firing left at least 22 young protesters dead on the first day of protests, resulting in widespread vandalism and arson on the following day. The unrest ultimately forced then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to resign, leading to the formation of the current government led by Prime Minister Sushila Karki, a former chief justice.
The Cabinet meeting on Tuesday also approved a master plan for the construction of statues of the martyrs of the Gen Z movement within the premises of the under-construction parliament building within the Singha Durbar.
The withdrawal of the bill is seen as a symbolic and political step by the new government to acknowledge the grievances raised during the protests and to recalibrate its approach to social media regulation and youth dissent.
