Nepal has been thrown into unprecedented political and social chaos following the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who stepped down amid violent and widespread demonstrations across the country. The protests, which began on Monday and intensified by Tuesday, were largely led by Gen Z citizens who expressed outrage over rampant corruption, nepotism, and, most recently, a controversial social media ban imposed by the Oli administration. Despite curfews, protesters continued to pour into the streets, clashing with security forces and turning Kathmandu and other major cities into flashpoints of unrest. The ban on social media platforms, widely criticized as an attack on free expression, acted as the final trigger that ignited an already frustrated population. Although the ban was rolled back in the early hours of Tuesday, it failed to quell the anger, as violent demonstrations escalated and claimed lives.
In his resignation letter, Oli stated that he was stepping aside “in view of the adverse situation in the country” and to pave the way for a constitutional and political resolution. His departure came after mounting pressure from citizens, opposition leaders, and, reportedly, the military, which advised him to resign as a step toward restoring order. Reports even surfaced that Oli had sought military assistance to secure his safe passage and was considering fleeing the country. Sources revealed that Nepal Army Chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel cautioned Oli that stability could only return if he relinquished power.
The resignations were not limited to Oli alone, as several ministers, including Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, Agriculture Minister Ramnath Adhikari, Youth and Sports Minister Teju Lal Chaudhary, and Water Minister Pradeep Yadav, also stepped down. These resignations reflected the crumbling of Oli’s administration under immense political and public pressure. However, the government’s collapse did little to slow down the violence that gripped the capital and beyond. Parliament buildings, ministerial complexes, and even the private residences of top political figures—including Oli and President Ram Chandra Poudel—were attacked and set ablaze by angry demonstrators. Thick plumes of smoke rising from key administrative buildings in Kathmandu symbolized the collapse of political authority.
The Nepalese Army soon intervened, issuing a formal statement asserting its constitutional responsibility to safeguard sovereignty, independence, and national unity. The military appealed particularly to the youth to maintain peace, harmony, and constructive engagement during these turbulent times. Nevertheless, security forces faced an uphill battle, as the unrest showed no signs of abating. The death toll climbed to at least 22 people, with hundreds more injured, underscoring the severity of the crisis. Army helicopters were seen airlifting ministers and officials from government quarters to Tribhuvan International Airport before operations there were suspended due to fires and escalating violence nearby.
For many young Nepalis, these protests are being described as a “Gen Z movement,” highlighting a generational uprising against a political system that has failed to deliver stability or prosperity. Protesters accused politicians of living in luxury while ordinary citizens faced unemployment, rising inequality, and economic stagnation. For the youth, Oli’s government symbolized entrenched corruption and a lack of accountability, sparking calls for structural change that go beyond the resignation of a single leader.
The crisis also reignites debates over Nepal’s fragile democracy, which has faced constant turbulence since the abolition of its centuries-old monarchy in 2008. Since then, the nation has seen 14 governments in less than two decades, none completing a full five-year term. Oli, who had assumed office for the fourth time just last year at the age of 73, now exits in disgrace, leaving behind a nation struggling to find political stability. His resignation may have marked the end of his premiership, but for many, it symbolizes a broader demand for systemic reform, accountability, and leadership that genuinely addresses the needs of the people.
