Nepal's Gen Z uninstalls KP Sharma Oli government after social media ban

Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned on Tuesday (Sept 9) after Gen-Z protests over a social media ban erupted into a second day of violent unrest, with demonstrators storming and setting fire to the Parliament building.

Earlier in the day, hundreds of protesters had forced their way into his office.

The resignation came just hours after Oli called for an all-party meeting to address Nepal’s fast-deteriorating political crisis, as student-led demonstrations spread nationwide. He had announced the meeting for 6 pm, without specifying a venue, and said dialogue was the only way to resolve the crisis.

The unrest continued Tuesday despite curfew orders in Kathmandu and other cities, and even after the government lifted the social media ban.

On Monday, several thousand Nepalis had poured into the streets in youth-led protests against corruption and the shutdown of social media platforms.

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According to The Kathmandu Post, at least 19 people were killed in the police crackdown — 17 in Kathmandu and two in Sunsari district. More than 400 others were injured.

Many demonstrators, including students in school and college uniforms, carried placards reading: “Shut down corruption, not social media,” “Unban social media,” and “Youths against corruption,” Reuters reported.

In Kathmandu, protesters marching towards Parliament faced barricades. As they breached the restricted zone and entered the premises, police responded with water cannons, tear gas, and live bullets, The Post said.

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Crowds later torched the homes of several top political leaders, including Oli himself and Communication Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung. Protesters also stormed President Ram Chandra Paudel’s residence, setting parts of it ablaze as viral videos showed flames consuming sections of the compound.

Other leaders targeted included Nepali Congress chief Sher Bahadur Deuba, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, and Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal. A private school owned by Deuba’s wife, Foreign Minister Arzu Deuba Rana, was also set on fire.

Demonstrators insisted Oli’s resignation was their central demand, saying the exit of Home Minister Lekhak alone was not enough.