Kathmandu — Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned on Tuesday after days of youth-led demonstrations convulsed Nepal, with protesters accusing his government of corruption, joblessness, and attempts to muzzle dissent. The wife of former prime minister of Nepal Jhala Nath Khanal died after she was burned alive when her home was set on fire amid violent anti-government protests in the country.
The unrest escalated after authorities restricted access to 26 social media platforms, including Facebook and WhatsApp, in early September. Rather than slowing mobilization, the move pushed digitally savvy organizers to alternative channels such as TikTok, Viber, and virtual private networks, helping rallies spread quickly from Kathmandu to provincial cities.
Clashes between security forces and demonstrators turned deadly, leaving hospitals in the capital to treat scores of wounded protesters. Local authorities imposed curfews in several districts and deployed the army to protect key government sites as crowds surrounded parliament and ministries amid a broader police crackdown on protests.
Public anger intensified when parts of the Singha Durbar government complex were set ablaze during confrontations near the legislature. Several cabinet members submitted their resignations, adding to the sense of crisis and echoing other recent episodes of ministerial resignations under political pressure abroad.
Oli, who had campaigned on stability and economic revival, announced his resignation in a televised address, saying the political environment had become untenable. Opposition parties opened talks on a transition while the civil service worked to keep essential services operating during rolling curfews.
Air travel and public transport were disrupted at the height of the protests, with flight diversions and cancellations rippling through the region. Schools and businesses remained shut across affected areas as unions and student groups called for continued demonstrations until a concrete plan to tackle corruption and create jobs is presented, mirroring the momentum seen in recent large street protests elsewhere.
The crisis has elevated younger civic figures and reshaped expectations around accountability. Analysts warned, however, that prolonged instability could undercut investor confidence and delay recovery unless parties converge quickly on an interim arrangement and early reforms focused on employment and governance.
According to Reuters, the government’s attempt to ban social media platforms became the catalyst for nationwide unrest, and the BBC, which documented the rapid mobilization of students and young workers, the deadly confrontations with security forces, and the mounting political pressure that ultimately forced Oli to step down.
