The international focus on Nepal’s social media ban risks missing the forest for the trees. While the ban was the immediate spark for the recent violent unrest, it was not the cause. The real story lies in the massive powder keg of social and economic grievances that a neglectful government had allowed to accumulate over years.
This powder keg was composed of highly explosive materials. The primary component was economic hardship, with a 20% youth unemployment rate acting as a powerful accelerant. This created a large demographic of young, frustrated citizens who were deeply disillusioned with the status quo and eager for drastic change.
Another key component was the deep and pervasive public anger over government corruption. A culture of nepotism and graft had fostered a sense of systemic injustice, leading to a complete breakdown of trust between the people and their leaders. This was compounded by the visible and galling inequality between the ruling elite and the general population.
The social media ban was simply the match thrown onto this pile of fuel. It was an act of authoritarianism that directly targeted the most volatile demographic, providing a focal point for their accumulated rage. The lesson from Nepal is a universal one: the true cause of a fire is never the spark, but the flammable material that was left lying around.