Nepal Prime Minister Resigns After Deadly Protests
Nepal on Tuesday lifted its controversial social media ban, just hours before Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned following violent protests that left at least 19 people dead.
Access to major platforms, including Facebook, YouTube, and X, was also restored after five days of restrictions that had sparked nationwide outrage, particularly among young people.
“The social media platforms have been opened, which was among the Gen Z’s demands,” Communications Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung confirmed, adding that the government was open to talks with demonstrators.
The move, however, did little to calm tensions.
Defying curfews in Kathmandu and other cities, protesters torched tyres, attacked government buildings, and demanded justice for those killed during Monday’s clashes, one of the deadliest crackdowns in years.
Police confirmed 17 deaths in the capital and two in Sunsari district, with about 400 people injured, including more than 100 officers.
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Amnesty International accused security forces of using live ammunition, while the United Nations demanded a swift and transparent investigation into the violence.
Hospitals reported being overwhelmed by casualties, with tear gas even seeping into medical wards during the unrest.
On Tuesday, Oli, 73, announced his resignation in a letter to the president, saying he was “deeply saddened” by the killings and was stepping down to allow “a political solution and resolution of the problems.”
His decision followed the resignation of the interior minister after an emergency cabinet meeting.
The protests were triggered on Friday when the government abruptly blocked 26 unregistered online platforms, fueling anger in a nation where digital platforms are vital for communication, business, and activism.
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TikTok, which was not blocked, became a hub for viral videos highlighting the hardships of ordinary citizens alongside the lavish lifestyles of politicians’ children, further heating up the people.
“This isn’t just about social media, it’s about trust, corruption, and a generation that refuses to stay silent,” the Kathmandu Post wrote in an editorial.
Nepal, a nation of 30 million people where nearly half the population is under 40, has long been plagued by political instability, corruption, and slow economic growth.
Oli’s resignation marks the latest turn in its turbulent democratic journey since abolishing the monarchy in 2008, with yet another leadership transition now looming.