The death toll from Nepal’s protests against the government’s sweeping social media ban has risen to 18, with more than 200 people injured nationwide, The Himalayan Times reported on Thursday. Sixteen of the fatalities were recorded in Kathmandu Valley and two in Itahari, as clashes between demonstrators and security forces intensified.

The government recently blocked access to 26 online services, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, citing tax and registration concerns. But critics say the move is less about regulation and more about censorship—an attempt to control dissent and tighten the state’s grip on online criticism.

While international coverage has largely focused on the ban, Nepali citizens insist that the protests are about far more than access to social media. A widely shared post on Reddit, purportedly written by a resident near the India border, described the ban as “only the spark” igniting anger over years of corruption, nepotism, and economic inequality.

One flashpoint has been the viral “Nepo Babies” trend, which exposed the lavish lifestyles of politicians’ children—designer fashion, luxury cars, and international travel—juxtaposed with widespread hardship among ordinary citizens. Questions over how political families accumulate such wealth have deepened frustrations, especially as Nepal’s prime minister officially earns less than ₹65,000 a month.

Underlying these grievances is a chronic jobs crisis. Nearly 5,000 young Nepalis leave the country every day in search of work abroad, according to civil society groups, while opportunities at home remain scarce. What began as a youth-led protest over censorship has now evolved into a cross-generational movement demanding accountability and systemic reform.

“The narrative that this is simply about social media addiction is misleading,” the Reddit writer argued. “This is about inequality, corruption, and a government that silences criticism while failing to deliver on basic governance.”

As demonstrations grow and the death toll climbs, Nepal faces a critical test. The unrest now reflects not only anger over online restrictions but also decades of frustration with corruption, failed leadership, and political instability—no prime minister has completed a full term in more than 20 years.