Nepal Plunges into Crisis as Youth-Led Protests Topple Government

Nepal Plunges into Crisis as Youth-Led Protests Topple Government
Kathmandu, Nepal – Nepal is in the grip of a severe political crisis following days of intense and deadly youth-led protests, culminating in the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Tuesday. The widespread unrest, initially sparked by a government ban on major social media platforms, has rapidly evolved into a powerful anti-corruption and anti-establishment movement.
The situation remains volatile across the Himalayan nation, with the Nepali Army deployed, prohibitory orders and a nationwide curfew in effect, and Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) shut down until further notice.
Key Developments:
Prime Minister’s Resignation: Facing immense pressure, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli stepped down on Tuesday. His resignation has been accepted by President Ramchandra Paudel. This follows the resignations of Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak and Water Supply Minister Anil Kumar Yadav earlier in the week.
Deadly Clashes: The “Gen Z” protests, as they are being called, have seen violent confrontations between demonstrators and security forces. At least 19 to 21 fatalities have been reported, with hundreds more injured in clashes across Kathmandu and other cities.
Widespread Unrest: Protesters have breached secure zones in the capital, storming the premises of the Federal Parliament and Singha Durbar, the government secretariat. The private residences of numerous political figures, including the outgoing Prime Minister and the President, have been targeted and, in some cases, set on fire. Party offices have also been vandalized.
From Social Media Ban to Anti-Corruption Uprising: The trigger for the protests was the government’s decision to block 26 social media platforms, including Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram, for failing to register locally. While the government quickly reversed the ban in an attempt to quell the unrest, the movement had already broadened its scope to demand an end to systemic corruption, cronyism, and perceived government misrule. The “Nepo Kid” hashtag trended online, criticizing the lavish lifestyles of the political elite’s children.
Nationwide Disruption: The turmoil has caused significant disruption. All domestic and international flights at TIA have been cancelled. Government offices in several locations have been torched, and there are reports of ministers being evacuated by the army for their safety.
The international community, including neighboring India, is closely monitoring the situation. The protests have exposed deep-seated public anger against the political establishment, tapping into years of frustration over economic stagnation and a lack of accountability. With the government’s collapse, Nepal faces an uncertain political future as it grapples with the aftermath of this unprecedented youth-driven uprising.