The political landscape of Nepal shifted dramatically as Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli stepped down this Tuesday following two days of intense demonstrations. The youth-led movement, known as "Generation Z," took to the streets to protest against corruption and the government's recent ban on social media platforms. "I have resigned from the position of Prime Minister effective immediately to pave the way for political solutions and to address the pressing issues in accordance with the Constitution, considering the extraordinary circumstances prevailing in the country," Oli wrote in a letter to the President.
Oli, the head of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) (CPN-UML), had been in office since July 2024, with previous terms from 2015 to 2016 and 2018 to 2021.
Violence Erupts and Casualties Reported
The unrest began last week on social media with hashtags like #NepoBabies, highlighting the corruption and nepotism within the political class. The protests intensified after the government blocked 26 social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and X.
The situation escalated on Monday with reports of 19 protesters killed and over 300 injured, leading to a wave of resignations within the government itself.
Attack on Residences and Public Buildings
On Tuesday, the violence reached new heights. Protesters set fire to Oli's private residence in Balkot and vandalized the home of President Ram Chandra Poudel. Additionally, the offices of the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML were attacked.
In a tragic incident, Rajyalaxmi Chitrakar, the wife of former Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal, succumbed to severe burns after protesters torched her home. She passed away in Kirtipur's Burn Hospital, raising the confirmed death toll to 25.
Parliament Stormed Amidst Chaos in the Capital
Despite Oli's resignation and the lifting of the social media ban early Tuesday morning, tensions remained high. Hundreds of young protesters stormed Nepal's Parliament, which was subsequently set ablaze. The military, although present, did not intervene to stop the attack or extinguish the fire, as reported by EFE.
Meanwhile, reports surfaced of fires and attacks on the homes of other prominent leaders, including former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and his wife, Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba.
Political Crisis and Call for Interim Government
The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) announced the collective resignation of 20 members of Parliament, arguing that the legislative body had lost its legitimacy. They demanded the establishment of an interim civilian government and an independent judicial commission to investigate the crackdown.
International organizations such as Amnesty International and the United Nations condemned the violence and urged a peaceful resolution to the crisis. As a safety measure, air traffic across the nation was suspended, confirmed by Kathmandu airport manager Hansa Raj Pandey.
The Nepalese Army is set to take over the responsibility for maintaining law and order starting at 10:00 p.m. local time on Tuesday. The unrest is spreading swiftly across the country, raising concerns about the deteriorating security situation. Some media outlets report that protesters are armed with small weapons and grenades.
Understanding the Political Turmoil in Nepal
What triggered the protests in Nepal?
The protests in Nepal were triggered by public outrage over government corruption and the recent ban on social media platforms, which were seen as an attempt to suppress free speech and dissent.
Who is leading the protests?
The protests are primarily led by a youth movement known as "Generation Z," which has mobilized to demand accountability and transparency from the government.
How has the international community reacted?
International organizations, including Amnesty International and the United Nations, have condemned the violence and called for a peaceful resolution to the crisis.