Khadga Prasad Oli resigns following unrest that left 19 dead, with protesters targeting political leaders’ homes in Kathmandu.

RELATED:

Indonesian President Reshuffles Cabinet After Deadly Protests

Nepalese Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli resigned on Tuesday after nationwide protests against a social media ban and corruption left 19 people dead. The resignation came hours after authorities lifted restrictions on Facebook, X, YouTube and other platforms, but only after demonstrators set fire to the homes of senior political leaders.

Local media and videos posted online showed protesters torching residences in and around Kathmandu, including those of President Ram Chandra Poudel, Nepali Congress leader Sher Bahadur Deuba, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, and Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal. A private school owned by Foreign Minister Arzu Deuba Rana, Deuba’s wife, was also attacked. Authorities declared a curfew in the capital and other cities, and schools in Kathmandu were closed.

Anger over corruption and deadly crackdown

The protests began in opposition to the social media ban but quickly turned into broader demonstrations against political corruption.

“I am here to protest about the massive corruption in our country,” said student Bishnu Thapa Chetri. “The country has gotten so bad that for us youths there is no grounds for us to stay back in the country.”

Others voiced outrage at the police response. “As long as this government is in power, the people like us will continue to suffer,” said protester Durganah Dahal. “They killed so many youths yesterday who had so much to look forward to, now they can easily kill us all. We protest until this government is finished.”

Despite the curfew, demonstrations continued Tuesday. Crowds chanted, “Punish the murderers in government. Stop killing children,” as police used loudspeakers urging them to disperse.

Police open fire on crowds

On Monday, tens of thousands surrounded the Parliament building in Kathmandu in what was called a “Gen Z protest.” Police opened fire, killing 19 people and injuring dozens.

“Stop the ban on social media. Stop corruption, not social media,” demonstrators shouted while waving national flags.

At the National Trauma Center, Dr. Badri Risa said many of the wounded “appear to have been shot in the head and chest.” Families of the injured waited outside, while volunteers lined up to donate blood.

Oli later announced the creation of an investigative committee to report within 15 days and pledged compensation for victims’ families and free medical treatment for the injured.

Censorship dispute fuels unrest

The ban targeted around two dozen platforms that failed to comply with a new law requiring registration and government oversight. While TikTok, Viber and a handful of others registered, Meta, Google and X did not respond to requests for comment.

Rights groups criticized the proposed legislation as a tool for censorship, warning it could restrict freedom of expression and silence government opponents.

Nepal has previously clashed with tech companies. TikTok was banned in 2023 for allegedly undermining “social harmony” before the restriction was lifted after executives pledged compliance with local laws.

IN THIS ARTICLE