Nepal’s Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli was compelled to step down on Tuesday following protests from young anti-corruption demonstrators who defied a curfew and clashed with authorities. The protests erupted after 19 individuals were killed on the first day of demonstrations.
The demonstrations, driven by youth frustrated over the blocking of various social media platforms, paralyzed the capital city. In response, the police resorted to firing at the protesters, resulting in 19 fatalities and 100 injuries. Although the ban on social media was lifted the next day, the protests persisted, with demonstrators setting ablaze the residences of top leaders and the parliament building in Nepal.
As the unrest heightened, the 73-year-old Oli announced his immediate resignation. In his resignation letter to President Ramchandra Paudel, Oli stated, “In light of the challenging situation in the country, I am resigning today to facilitate a resolution to the problem and address it politically within the constitutional framework.”
President Paudel appealed to the protesters for dialogue to seek a peaceful resolution and prevent further escalation. Following news of Oli’s resignation, jubilant youths breached the parliament complex, celebrating with chants and gestures while smoke billowed from parts of the building.
The army issued a statement urging calm and political discussions but did not provide further details. The protests initially erupted after the government blocked several platforms, including Facebook, X, and YouTube, citing their failure to comply with government regulations.
Despite the restoration of these sites, the demonstrations continued, fueled by outrage over police violence against protesters and growing discontent with the political elite in the nation situated between China and India.
Many young Nepalis expressed anger over the lavish lifestyles enjoyed by the offspring of political figures, known as Nepo Kids, contrasted with the struggles faced by the majority of youth seeking employment. With youth unemployment reaching 20% last year, according to the World Bank, there has been a significant exodus of young people leaving the country daily in search of work opportunities in the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
The protests, labeled as “demonstrations by Gen Z,” have spread to other cities, driven by the younger generation’s frustration with the perceived inaction against corruption and lack of economic prospects. The protesters have criticized the government for censoring social media platforms that highlighted the opulent lives of corrupt officials and their families.
The unrest intensified with protesters targeting the residences of political leaders in and around Kathmandu, including Oli, Paudel, Sher Bahadur Deuba, Ramesh Lekhak, and Pushpa Kamal Dahal. The presidential palace and several government buildings were set ablaze, prompting the imposition of a curfew in the capital and other cities.
The ban on social media platforms elicited widespread condemnation, with tens of thousands gathering in Kathmandu to denounce the prohibition and demand action against corruption instead. Prior to his resignation, Oli announced the formation of an investigation committee to prepare a report within 15 days and offered compensation for the lives lost and free treatment for the injured.
Critics viewed the proposed investigative committee as a means of censorship and retribution against government dissenters expressing their grievances online. The registration requirement affected approximately two dozen widely used social networks in Nepal.
Google, Meta, and Elon Musk’s X platform did not respond to requests for comment. TikTok and Viber, among others, complied with the regulations, while Nepal had previously banned TikTok in 2023 for promoting indecent content.
The ban was lifted after TikTok executives pledged to adhere to local laws, including the prohibition of pornographic material enacted in 2018. The government’s actions have been criticized by rights groups as an infringement on freedom of expression and fundamental rights.
The protests underscored deep-seated frustrations among the youth in Nepal, highlighting the urgent need for addressing corruption and improving economic opportunities to prevent further unrest and instability in the country.
