Lucknow/Patna: Nepal’s government has blocked several major social media platforms since September 4, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, X (Twitter), and YouTube, allowing only TikTok to operate. The move, aimed at restricting apps not registered with Nepalese authorities, has triggered widespread protests among the youth across the country.

The ban has also severely affected India, particularly border regions where families share strong cultural and familial ties with relatives in Nepal. Residents in areas like Kursakanta and Sikti blocks in Bihar and parts of Shravasti in Uttar Pradesh are struggling to stay in touch, as platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook are no longer accessible.

With digital communication cut off, people are now forced to make international calls, costing Rs 9–12 per minute for calls from India to Nepal and Rs 5 per minute for calls from Nepal to India, creating an additional financial burden.

The ban has also impacted business and tourism in Nepal’s border towns. Hotels in Rangeli and Karsiya, which previously offered free Wi-Fi to Indian visitors, are facing empty rooms, while shopkeepers, hoteliers, and the Madhesi community—who live on both sides of the border—are experiencing significant losses.

Students, businessmen, and ordinary citizens are particularly affected, with communication for work, studies, and family contact severely disrupted.

Nepal’s government maintains that the ban targets unregistered apps, but citizens argue that the sudden move has cut off essential communication channels.

Protests continue as the youth demand the lifting of the ban and call for alternative solutions to maintain cross-border connectivity.