TikTok Ban Crucial for Social Stability, Affirms PM Dahal

In a response to the Supreme Court, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda defended the government’s recent decision to ban Chinese app TikTok, asserting that the move was imperative to avert a potential social crisis in Nepal. The decision has faced legal challenges, with 16 writ petitions filed against the ban in the Supreme Court.

Addressing concerns raised by the court, Prime Minister Dahal emphasized the urgent need for stringent control measures to combat what he referred to as “technological pollution” plaguing Nepali society. He elaborated on the government’s stance, stating, “Given the distortions caused by TikTok, an expeditious halt was crucial to prevent an impending social crisis. The decision to prohibit TikTok usage is based on a thorough analysis of both its immediate and long-term effects.”

Highlighting the dual impact of TikTok, Prime Minister Prachanda described the platform as a “social ailment and an epidemic,” contributing to the escalation of technological pollution. He further explained, “To safeguard the interests of the majority and shield society and the nation from its adverse effects, the ban on its usage is deemed necessary. This decision is rooted in the intention of protecting our citizens and preserving the welfare of the nation as a whole.”