The turmoil in Kathmandu on Monday is more than a story of street protests. It is a reminder of how central digital freedoms have become to the fabric of modern society, and how easily governments misjudge the consequences of curbing them. The decision to block dozens of popular social media platforms triggered a chain reaction that left at least 19 people dead, many injured, and the credibility of the state deeply eroded.

Under mounting pressure, the Nepal government has now lifted the ban, but the reversal comes too late to undo the damage. Nepal’s leaders must recognise that social media is not just a technological novelty; it is a public square and digital access is synonymous with freedom and opportunity. Restricting it without building alternative avenues of expression or ensuring transparency will only inflame grievances. The official justification – regulating online spaces to counter........

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