Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned on September 9 after days of violent Gen Z-led protests over a nationwide social media ban spiraled into Nepal’s deadliest political unrest in years. At least 19 people were killed, dozens more injured, and central government buildings in Kathmandu were left in flames as demonstrators clashed with security forces.
According to several news sources, the crisis began when authorities abruptly blocked platforms including Facebook, X, YouTube, and Reddit, citing the need to regulate unregistered services. For Nepal’s young population, many of whom rely on these platforms for news, work, and community, the move was widely viewed as an attack on free expression. Protests spread rapidly, fueled by long-standing frustration with corruption, nepotism, and a lack of job opportunities.
What began as rallies outside Singha Durbar, the government’s administrative complex, soon escalated into nationwide demonstrations. Protesters stormed government offices, parliament, and even the prime minister’s residence, setting them ablaze. Flights bound for Kathmandu were diverted to Lucknow, India, as authorities declared an indefinite curfew and deployed the army on standby to secure the capital.
Security forces responded with tear gas, rubber bullets, and live ammunition. Rights groups condemned the excessive use of force, while families of those killed demanded justice and accountability. The violence marked one of the bloodiest crackdowns since Nepal’s transition to a republic in 2008.
Smoke rises over Singha Durbar as demonstrators clash with security forces, marking the turning point that led to Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli’s resignation Photo courtesy Financial Times via Getty Images
Oli, in his resignation, said he was stepping down “to facilitate a solution to the problem in accordance with the constitution.” His departure capped days of chaos but did little to ease the anger on the streets. The government has since lifted the social media ban and announced relief measures, including compensation for victims’ families, free medical care for the injured, and a 15-day investigation panel led by Communications Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung to examine the unrest.
Still, protests have continued, with demonstrators insisting that symbolic gestures are not enough. For many in Nepal’s Gen Z, the uprising has become about more than the ban—it is about confronting entrenched privilege and demanding systemic change. The “Nepo Kid” slogan, used widely on placards and online, has become a rallying cry against leaders accused of using political office to enrich their families while young people struggle with unemployment and rising living costs.
The turmoil also underscores Nepal’s chronic political instability. Since the abolition of the monarchy in 2008, the country has cycled through 14 governments in just 17 years, none completing a full term. Analysts warn that unless deep reforms are undertaken, Oli’s resignation may only mark the beginning of another period of turbulence rather than its end.
President Ram Chandra Paudel has urged all political parties and protest leaders to come to the table for dialogue. But trust in Nepal’s institutions is at a historic low, and many protesters remain skeptical that change will come from the same leaders they hold responsible for decades of dysfunction.
The crisis has drawn international attention as well. Nepal’s two powerful neighbors, India and China, are closely monitoring events. Both countries have strong economic and security ties to Nepal and fear that prolonged unrest could spill over borders or disrupt regional stability.
For ordinary Nepalese, especially the country’s young majority, the unrest has brought daily life to a standstill. Schools and universities remain closed, internet disruptions continue, and families mourn loved ones lost in the violence. Many say the protests have given them hope that their generation can shape the future—but they also fear the cost of change could grow even higher if leaders fail to respond.
Whether this movement ushers in lasting reforms or becomes another entry in Nepal’s long history of political upheaval remains uncertain. What is clear is that the country now stands at a crossroads, with its youngest citizens demanding not just to be heard but to be taken seriously in shaping the nation’s future.
