The story unfolding in Nepal is a modern-day replay of a classic historical narrative: a ruling class, deaf to the cries of its people, makes one arrogant move too many and unleashes a storm of popular fury. The social media ban was merely the 21st-century version of “let them eat cake,” an act of supreme detachment that ignited a revolution of the frustrated.
For years, the groundwork for this uprising was laid in plain sight. The Nepalese government overlooked the critical warning sign of 20% youth unemployment, allowing a generation’s potential to curdle into resentment. Economic despair became the dry timber, piling up in every town and city, waiting for a spark.
This economic problem was inseparable from a crisis of governance. The public witnessed a system rife with corruption and nepotism, where personal connections outweighed merit and justice seemed reserved for the powerful. This fostered a deep-seated contempt for the political establishment, viewing it as an obstacle to progress rather than a steward of the public good.
The ban on social media was a fatally arrogant misstep. It was a move that simultaneously alienated the youth, confirmed the government’s authoritarian tendencies, and provided a single, clear symbol of oppression. In one stroke, the government unified its opponents and gave them a cause, proving once again that history offers harsh lessons to those who refuse to listen to the grievances of their people.
