Nepal’s Prime Minister, KP Sharma Oli, has resigned following days of violent youth-led demonstrations that have left at least 22 people dead and nearly 200 others injured.
His office said the decision was taken to “pave the way for a constitutional solution” to the escalating crisis triggered by widespread anger over corruption and a recently imposed – and now withdrawn – social media ban.
The protests, largely driven by young people identifying as Generation Z, erupted in Kathmandu and other cities on Monday. Demonstrators accused the government of corruption and attempting to stifle freedom of expression through the online blockade.
Police responded with water cannons, tear gas, batons, and live ammunition as protesters stormed the parliament complex and other government buildings. Clashes turned deadly, with hospitals reporting multiple gunshot wounds and rubber bullet injuries.
On Tuesday, unrest escalated further when demonstrators set fire to parliament in Kathmandu and attacked the homes of political leaders across the country. Authorities imposed curfews and tightened security around key government sites.
Despite the government’s decision to lift the social media ban, protesters say their demands go beyond digital freedom. “We want to see an end to corruption in Nepal,” said 19-year-old student Binu KC. Content creator Subhana Budhathoki added, “Gen Z will not stop now. This protest is about more than just social media – it’s about silencing our voices, and we won’t let that happen.”
Officials confirmed that several police officers were also injured in the clashes, with casualty figures expected to rise.
The resignation of Oli marks a dramatic turn in one of Nepal’s largest youth-driven movements, which has shaken the country’s political establishment and underscored growing public frustration with corruption and unfulfilled promises.
