Nepal burns: 20 killed as Gen Z's fury over social media ban sparks protests

Thousands of youth-led 'Gen Z' demonstrators have taken to the streets of Kathmandu and other cities across Nepal, protesting the government's ban on 26 social media platforms. These protests, triggered by the digital clampdown, also reflect public anger over widespread corruption, unemployment, and nepotism. Clashes occurred as protesters marched towards the parliament, leading to the imposition of a curfew and army deployment. The demonstrations have resulted in 20 deaths and over 250 injuries after police used live ammunition. The government, led by KP Sharma Oli, defends the ban as a regulatory measure, while protesters view it as an assault on digital freedom. Calls for the prime minister's resignation have emerged, and Nepal's Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has offered to resign. Analysts suggest these events could lead to regime change. Separately, in India, the Vice President election is scheduled for September 9th, featuring NDA candidate C.P. Radhakrishnan and Indie bloc's Sudarshan Reddy, with the ruling NDA holding a numerical advantage as parties like BRS and BJD plan to abstain.