Kathmandu : Nepal’s Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned on Tuesday following days of violent anti-corruption protests that have rocked the Himalayan nation and left at least 19 people dead. His resignation, confirmed by his aide, comes after mounting public anger over government corruption, heavy-handed security crackdowns, and a controversial attempt to restrict social media use.
The protests, largely led by Nepal’s Gen Z activists, erupted after the government imposed a sweeping ban on 26 social media platforms—including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and WhatsApp—citing the need for new registration rules. What began as online outrage quickly spilled onto the streets of Kathmandu and other cities, with demonstrators accusing the government of censorship and cover-ups of corruption scandals.
Despite curfews and a heavy police presence, protesters torched tires, clashed with security forces, and attacked the homes of prominent leaders, including Oli’s own residence in Bhaktapur. The violence reached a breaking point over the weekend, when police firing and clashes left nearly 20 people dead and hundreds injured.
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In a televised statement before tendering his resignation, Oli said he was stepping down “in the greater interest of peace and stability,” but blamed what he described as “ambiguities” in the social media ban for fuelling unrest.
The crisis also triggered a wave of political fallout. Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned on “moral grounds” after the deaths of protesters, while opposition parties demanded early elections and accountability for the violence.
Facing overwhelming pressure, the government lifted the social media ban late Monday in an attempt to calm tensions. However, public anger continued to boil over, with youth groups insisting their demands for transparency, accountability, and stronger anti-corruption measures must be met.
Oli, who has served multiple terms as prime minister, had long faced criticism for centralizing power and failing to address corruption. His abrupt resignation leaves Nepal in a political vacuum, with no clear successor yet named. An all-party meeting has been called to discuss the way forward, even as uncertainty looms over the country’s fragile democratic institutions.
