Amid violent protests triggered by a social media ban, Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli resigned on Tuesday, his aide Prakash Silwal said. The clashes, which erupted as anti-corruption demonstrators defied an indefinite curfew, left 19 people dead and more than 100 injured as police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at crowds trying to storm the country’s Parliament.
Nepal Unrest : Big Conspiracy
Oli’s government lifted the social media ban after protests turned violent on Monday. The crisis is the worst Nepal has faced in decades, highlighting the Himalayan country’s deep-rooted political instability and economic challenges since the 2008 abolition of its monarchy.
Who is K P Sharma Oli?
Oli, a veteran Nepali communist politician, has had a tumultuous political career marked by his nationalist rhetoric and clashes with neighboring India. Oli has served as the Prime Minister of Nepal on two occasions, from 2015-2016 and 2018-2021, before being ousted by the Supreme Court in a controversial ruling. Born in 1952 in eastern Nepal, Oli dropped out of school and was jailed at 22 for the murder of a farmer, Dharma Prasad Dhakal.
Escalation and Violence
On Monday, thousands of young protesters—many in school or college uniforms—gathered at key sites in Kathmandu, including the Maitighar Mandala monument and Parliament grounds, defying a government-imposed curfew. Demonstrators stormed government offices and set fire to residences of prominent leaders, including Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. Police responded with tear gas, water cannons, rubber bullets, and, reportedly, live ammunition, resulting in at least 19 fatalities and hundreds of injuries nationwide. The violence extended beyond Kathmandu, with clashes reported in other urban centers.
Political Fallout
The intensity of the protests forced sharp reactions from Nepal’s leadership. Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak and several other cabinet members resigned amidst public condemnation of their handling of the crisis. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli submitted his resignation after his office was stormed and widespread calls for accountability grew.
Youth-Led Mobilization
This wave of unrest marks the first time Nepal’s Gen Z has mobilized at such scale, explicitly asking political parties and their youth wings to stay away. The movement is largely independent, with youth participants voicing concerns that go beyond the social media ban, focusing on deeper demands for good governance and the end of endemic corruption.
International Reactions and Aftermath
International human rights organizations have condemned the excessive use of force and called for an impartial investigation into the deaths and injuries. In response to mounting pressure, the government has lifted the social media ban and committed to investigating the unrest, providing financial compensation to victims, and offering medical care to the injured.
The situation remains volatile, but Nepal’s current unrest has signaled a profound shift in the country’s politics, demonstrating both the power and resolve of its younger generation in demanding accountability and reform.
