Nepal was plunged into turmoil on Tuesday after furious youth-led protests left at least 19 people dead and culminated in the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, one of the country’s longest-serving political figures.
Demonstrators defied curfews to march through Kathmandu and other major cities, torching government buildings, including parliament and the prime minister’s residence.
The unrest began over the weekend after authorities imposed a sweeping ban on social media platforms, sparking outrage over censorship and long-standing corruption.
By Tuesday, the government had rolled back the ban, but protests intensified, with crowds waving national flags and chanting victory slogans. “The Nepal government has fallen, the youth have won,” said protest leader Sudan Gurung on Instagram, hours after Oli stepped down.
The violence marked one of Nepal’s deadliest crackdowns in years. Amnesty International accused security forces of using live ammunition on protesters.
President Ramchandra Paudel called for restraint after mobs also set fire to his office, but his appeal went largely unheeded.
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Military commanders issued warnings against activities “that could push the country into instability,” while analysts described the crisis as a turning point in Nepal’s fragile democracy.
Oli, 73, a four-time prime minister, quit after nearly six decades in politics, citing the need for a political solution.
His departure leaves Nepal facing uncertainty, with experts urging a caretaker government that includes credible voices, especially from the youth movement.
“This is purely a Gen Z movement,” said Kathmandu mayor Balendra Shah, 35, urging young Nepalis to prepare for leadership.
With nearly half of Nepal’s 30 million citizens under the age of 40 and discontent simmering over unemployment and inequality, protesters vowed to keep up pressure until reforms take hold.