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Nepal’s prime minister resigns after social media ban sparks deadly protests Nepal prime minister quits after deaths at protests sparked by social media ban
(about 3 hours later)
Thousands defy curfew as ‘Gen Z’ demonstrations against ban and political corruption continue KP Sharma Oli resigns as police meet protests with deadly force, leaving 19 dead, and federal parliament is set alight
Nepal’s prime minister, KP Sharma Oli, has resigned after some of the worst unrest in decades rocked the country this week, set off by a ban on social media and discontentment at political corruption and nepotism. Nepal’s prime minister has resigned after some of the worst unrest in decades rocked the country this week, set off by a ban on social media and discontent at political corruption and nepotism.
At least 19 people were killed and hundreds were injured on Monday after protests against a ban on 26 prominent social media sites and corruption issues was met with deadly force by police. KP Sharma Oli’s resignation came a day after widespread protests were met with deadly force by police, leaving 19 dead and hundreds injured. The spark for the protests was a government ban on 26 prominent social media apps, but escalated into a larger mass movement against corruption among political elites.
The government decision to roll back the ban on sites such as Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube and X late on Monday night did nothing to quell the anger among young people, who continued what was called the “Gen Z” protests. The government decision to roll back the ban on sites such as Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube and X on Monday night did nothing to quell the anger among young people, who continued what was called the “Gen Z” protests.
In defiance of curfews, protests continued to erupt across the country on Tuesday and thousands stormed the federal parliament building in the capital, Kathmandu, and set it on fire. Car tyres were burned in the streets of Kathmandu and riot police were pelted with stones. In defiance of curfews, protests continued to erupt across the country on Tuesday and thousands stormed the federal parliament building in Kathmandu and set it alight. Fires burned across the streets of the capital, turning the sky black with smoke, and riot police were pelted with stones.
The military were deployed alongside the police, and the country’s political leaders were evacuated to safe locations, as anger at the government swelled on the streets. Kathmandu airport was closed down due to heavy smoke. The country’s political leaders were evacuated to safe locations, as anger at the government swelled on the streets, and Kathmandu airport was closed down.
As calls for the resignation of Oli grew on Tuesday, his home was set alight, while homes of other prominent ministers and leaders and political offices were also attacked. As calls for the resignation of Oli grew on Tuesday, his home was set on fire. Homes of the president and other prominent ministers were also attacked as Gen Z protesters took control of the country’s main administrative area, Singha Durbar.
The announcement that Oli would resign amid mounting pressure was met with cheers by protesters who had stormed the parliament building. His home minister had already resigned on Monday night over the killing of protesters. By early Tuesday afternoon Oli had submitted his resignation letter to the president , an announcement which was met with cheers by protesters who were gathered around the parliament building. The home minister had already resigned on Monday night over the killing of protesters.
Oli, 73, began his fourth term last year after his Communist party forged a coalition government with the centre-left Nepali Congress. In a resignation statement, Oli said he had resigned in order to “facilitate a solution to the problem and help resolve it politically”. In the aftermath of Oli’s resignation, Nepal’s president, Ram Chandra Paudel, invited Gen Z protest leaders for talks.
The demonstrations were triggered by the social media ban but also reflected wider frustrations at the government’s perceived lack of action to tackle corruption and boost economic opportunities, while being accused of allowing nepotism. Rohan Ansari, 20, said he had seen his friend shot dead by police before his eyes on Monday as they protested in the streets of Kathmandu. “But today, the Gen Z movement has succeeded,” he said, standing outside the stormed parliament building, which billowed with thick black smoke. “Now, his soul will rest in peace. From now on, the work will be led by the youth. The files of their corruption will be exposed.”
Dissatisfaction has grown with political instability, corruption, and slow economic development and there has been widespread frustration among the youth at the lack of employment and opportunities. Oli, 73, is seen as a veteran of Nepali politics and began his fourth term last year after his Communist party forged a coalition government with the centre-left Nepali Congress. In his letter, Oli said he had resigned in order to “facilitate a solution to the problem and help resolve it politically”.
By Tuesday, tens thousands of protesters remained on the streets of Kathmandu and other smaller cities once again, protesting against the deadly use of force by police and wider issues of corruption. Police continued to fire teargas and use batons against protesters. Dissatisfaction, particularly among the younger generation, has grown as Nepal has been crippled by political instability, corruption and slow economic development, with swathes of the population forced to travel abroad to find work.
Tanuja Pandey, 24, was among those protesting in Kathmandu on Tuesday, calling for Nepal’s political leaders to be held accountable for corruption and violence. “This is not just a death of 19 youths, it is murder. The government’s hands are stained with blood. The government cannot escape accountability this time,” he said. A string of high-profile corruption cases among senior political figures has dominated headlines and social media has been awash with images of the luxury spending habits of the children of the country’s political elites, fuelling resentment as ordinary Nepalis face economic hardship and and unemployment.
“Our prime minister, KP Sharma Oli, is extremely authoritarian and egoistic. As the guardian of the nation, he failed to stand on the side of the nation’s children. Now the entire generation will come after them.” Naresh Rawal, 27, said the protests had been the only way to force change. “Corruption has gone so far that leaders have accumulated Land Rovers, bullets and millions of rupees in their homes,” said Rawal.
“They don’t drink regular water, they have cartons of imported water. Where does all that luxury come from? Where did this wealth come from? Where did their children get money for lavish trips every month? This is why this was necessary action. Now the country can move forward on the path of reform.”
Tanuja Pandey, 24, was among those who called for Oli and his ministers to face a criminal investigation for the deadly use of force against protesters. “This is not just a death of 19 youths – it is murder,” she said. “The government’s hands are stained with blood. The government cannot escape accountability this time.”
The government said on Monday it had formed a committee to investigate the violence and would pay compensation to the families of the dead and provide free treatment for injured people.The government said on Monday it had formed a committee to investigate the violence and would pay compensation to the families of the dead and provide free treatment for injured people.
Amnesty International said live ammunition had been used against protesters on Monday, and the United Nations demanded a swift and transparent inquiry.Amnesty International said live ammunition had been used against protesters on Monday, and the United Nations demanded a swift and transparent inquiry.
The ban on social media came after Nepal’s government gave social media firms a seven-day deadline to register under new regulations, including to establish a point of contact and designate resident grievance and compliance officers. The ban on social media came after Nepal’s government gave social media firms a seven-day deadline to register and comply with new regulations. All but five failed to register on time and as a result Meta’s Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, Alphabet’s YouTube, China’s Tencent and Snapchat, Pinterest and X were blocked by midnight on Thursday.
All but five failed to register on time and as a result Meta’s Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, Alphabet’s YouTube, China’s Tencent and Snapchat, Pinterest and X were blocked by midnight on Thursday.
The government’s decision caused outrage among Nepal’s youth, many who saw it as an attempt to suppress their criticism of the government.The government’s decision caused outrage among Nepal’s youth, many who saw it as an attempt to suppress their criticism of the government.
“The social media ban was not the only agenda of the Gen Z movement. The corruption that has permeated every level of the country must end,” said Raksha Bam, 26. “But instead of stopping that corruption, they shut down the civic space of our generation. That is why Gen Z gathered in one place.” “The corruption that has permeated every level of the country must end,” said Raksha Bam, 26. “But instead of stopping that corruption, they shut down the civic space of our generation. That is why Gen Z gathered in one place.”
Many of those on the streets said it was time that politicians represented the needs of the younger generation. “Our movement will not remain limited to this,” said protester Khem Neupane, 31. “We will not let this energy and courage die in vain.”