Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli resigns amid violent anti-corruption protests

Oli resigns as PM as protests in Nepal intensified. Photo: ChatGPT recreation/Wikipedia

Spiralling Protests

Massive youth-led protests in Nepal intensified on Tuesday, with demonstrators setting fire to the private residences of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli (who just resigned) and President Ram Chandra Poudel, as public anger over corruption, governance failures and a controversial social media ban spiraled into widespread unrest.

According to The Kathmandu Post, protesters also torched the ruling Nepali Congress party’s central office in Sanepa and vandalised the houses of former prime ministers Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ and Sher Bahadur Deuba, along with Energy Minister Deepak Khadka’s residence.

The escalation follows Monday’s violent crackdown in which at least 19 demonstrators — mostly young people — were killed during clashes with security forces after authorities attempted to suppress rallies. Seventeen were killed in Kathmandu and two in Itahari, while over 400 others sustained serious injuries.

Videos circulating on social media showed protesters roaming inside the President’s residence, smashing property, and chanting slogans. Police tried to push back crowds but appeared to be avoiding heavy force after Monday’s casualties triggered nationwide outrage.

A curfew has been imposed in parts of Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur districts. The Kathmandu District Administration Office announced restrictions inside the Ring Road from 8:30 am until further notice, covering major intersections including Koteshwar, Chabahil, Narayan Gopal Chowk, Balaju and Kalanki. Authorities in Lalitpur and Bhaktapur issued similar prohibitory orders, banning gatherings, rallies, and processions under Section 6(3) of the Local Administration Act, 1971.

Despite restrictions, protesters defied curfew orders on Tuesday, gathering near the Federal Parliament building in New Baneshwar. “Yesterday’s incident exposed the government’s failure. I came here to stand with the youths,” one participant told local media.

Prime Minister Oli, who revoked a controversial social media ban on Sunday in a bid to pacify Gen Z demonstrators, is facing growing calls to resign. Several ministers have reportedly distanced themselves from his government.

The unrest marks one of the most serious political challenges to Oli’s administration in recent years. Analysts warn the Oli government could be pushed to the brink if protests continue to escalate and security forces fail to contain the anger on the streets.