India, Sept. 8 -- The protests in Nepal that led to chaos and multiple deaths in capital Kathmandu on Monday came after the government's decision to ban 26 social media platforms, including widely used apps such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, Reddit and Snapchat, for not registering under new rules.

The government led by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli argues that the rules are an effort to tax the revenue these apps generate in Nepal.

But critics stress that the government wants to control content critical of it. TikTok is being cited by protesters as an example of what could happen: thousands of posts allegedly removed on government directions.

Following the order from the government after a deadline to register passed, the ...