Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned on Tuesday after days of violent unrest triggered by his government’s decision to block access to major social media platforms. At least 19 people were killed and more than 100 wounded during the crackdown, according to officials, in what became some of Nepal’s deadliest street protests in recent years.
The demonstrations erupted after authorities on September 4 restricted access to 26 platforms, including Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter) citing failure to comply with new digital registration rules. Communications Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung later announced the ban had been rescinded, but the reversal came too late to ease public anger.
The restrictions struck a nerve with Nepal’s young and increasingly connected population. More than 40 percent of Nepalis are under 25, and for many, social media is both a means of expression and a tool for education, activism, and employment.
What began as rallies against censorship quickly swelled into nationwide protests targeting deeper grievances, including corruption, inequality, and frustration with the political elite. Security forces initially used tear gas and rubber bullets but later fired live rounds into crowds. Hospitals reported a surge in casualties.
Videos circulating online through VPNs showed protesters setting fire to homes and offices of senior politicians, storming government buildings, and vandalizing vehicles. The home of at least one former prime minister was attacked, and the parliament building in Kathmandu was partially damaged.
“I cannot ignore the voice of the people,” he said, after just over a year in office. His resignation leaves a caretaker administration in charge, but no clear consensus has yet emerged on who will lead next.
Kathmandu and other major cities remain under heavy security lockdown. An indefinite curfew is in place, soldiers patrol the streets, and the capital’s international airport has been shut down, further isolating a country already battered by high unemployment and economic challenges.
Analysts say the unrest reflects more than resistance to a single policy. Instead, it marks a generational uprising widely dubbed the “Gen Z movement” that has tapped into long-standing discontent over governance in a democracy still struggling to find stability after the abolition of its monarchy in 2008.
While some celebrated Mr. Oli’s resignation, others voiced fears of deeper political uncertainty. Opposition parties are racing to form a coalition but have yet to present a credible alternative.
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