Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli offered his resignation on Tuesday following widespread demonstrations that saw the federal parliament building, Supreme Court and leaders’ residences torched, underlining the depth of public fury over corruption and the ban on social media.
Protests erupted across Nepal amid anger at the shutdown of platforms such as Facebook, X, YouTube and others for failing to register with the government—a move widely perceived as targeting a viral “Nepo-kids” trend exposing elite privilege. At least 19 demonstrators lost their lives after security forces responded with lethal force, while hundreds sustained injuries during confrontations in Kathmandu and other cities.
Demonstrators, primarily young and calling themselves the “Gen Z” movement, advanced their demands beyond restoration of online access, demanding greater representation and leadership by youth in the interim government. Their slogan evokes the urgency for reform embodied in Youth-driven unrest topples Nepal’s prime minister.
State institutions and political figures became targets of arson and vandalism. Protesters set ablaze Singha Durbar, the Supreme Court building, and the private homes of the prime minister, president, and several former prime ministers. Tribhuvan International Airport was seized by the army, and operations were suspended temporarily.
The army and senior security chiefs issued urgent calls for restraint and dialogue, while senior officials, including home and agriculture ministers along with dozens of MPs from multiple parties, tendered their resignations in the unfolding crisis.
Oli, who has governed Nepal for much of the past decade, stated that he was stepping down to facilitate a constitutional response to the crisis. His departure creates a volatile power vacuum, with no clear successor in sight.
Follow Arabian Post
Select Arabian Post as your preferred source on Google and MSN News for trusted business news and Arab politics and updates.
