KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 9, 2025 – Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli announced his resignation on Tuesday amid escalating nationwide protests led by young demonstrators, primarily from Generation Z. The protests, triggered initially by a government-imposed social media ban, evolved into a larger movement against corruption and political misrule, turning violent and resulting in at least 19 deaths and over 400 injuries.
The unrest began when the Nepalese government banned popular social media platforms, including Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, citing failure to comply with new registration laws. The move sparked immediate outrage, with mostly youthful protesters staging rallies and demanding the reversal of the ban and the resignation of PM Oli.
Despite the government lifting the ban late Monday night, protests intensified, spreading across Kathmandu and other parts of Nepal. Demonstrators set fire to key political landmarks, including the residences of PM Oli in Balkot, President Ram Chandra Poudel, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, and others. The central office of the Nepali Congress was also torched in Lalitpur. Security forces imposed curfews and shuttered Tribhuvan International Airport amid fears of further violence and rumors that senior ministers might flee the country.
In a televised statement, Oli said he resigned “to facilitate a solution to the problem, and help resolve it politically,” urging the nation’s citizens to maintain calm as the political crisis unfolds. His resignation marks the end of his fourth term as Prime Minister since 2015, a tenure characterized by nationalist policies but increasingly challenged by accusations of authoritarianism and corruption.
India has advised its nationals in Nepal to exercise caution and comply with rules imposed by Nepali authorities. Indian security forces have placed border areas on heightened alert due to spillover concerns.
The protests highlight widespread frustration among Nepal’s youth over corruption, economic hardship, and a perceived lack of accountability from the political elite. Observers note this could be the most significant political unrest Nepal has witnessed in recent times, with the younger generation playing a pivotal role.
The coming days will be critical for Nepal’s stability as political parties negotiate and the government seeks to address deep-rooted societal grievances amid ongoing demands for democratic reforms.
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