Nepal is witnessing one of its most turbulent moments in recent decades as widespread anti-corruption protests spiral into chaos. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned on Tuesday, following violent clashes that left 19 protesters dead a day earlier, and triggered an unprecedented wave of unrest across the nation.
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Parliament in Flames, Chaos in the Capital
In Kathmandu, angry demonstrators set fire to the parliament building, sending plumes of thick smoke across the city. Government offices and the residences of senior political leaders also came under attack, while protesters stormed inside parliament, smashing windows, torching furniture, and painting anti-government graffiti across its walls. Jubilant crowds waved Nepal’s flag, chanting slogans against corruption.
Death Toll Rises, Prison Break Reported
The unrest showed no signs of abating on Tuesday, with three more deaths reported and chaos spreading to multiple districts. In a dramatic turn, prison authorities confirmed that 900 inmates escaped from two western Nepal prisons during the upheaval.
Trigger: Social Media Ban Sparks Anger
The protests were initially sparked by a controversial government ban on 26 social media platforms, including Facebook and Instagram. Officials justified the move as a crackdown on fake news, hate speech, and online fraud. But the ban, seen by young Nepalis as an assault on free expression, ignited a firestorm.
Though the restriction was hastily lifted on Monday night, the anger had already exploded into a nationwide movement.
Youth-Led, Leaderless Movement
The protests, dominated by young people, appear largely spontaneous and leaderless, unified under the rallying cry of anti-corruption. Many participants say the government has long misused public funds while ordinary citizens struggle with rising taxes and limited opportunities.
Muna Shreshta, a 20-year-old protester in Kathmandu, summed up the sentiment:
“It’s high time our leaders change. We want our taxes to be used for building Nepal, not for corruption.”
Army on Alert
The Nepal Army has warned that it may step in to restore order if the violence continues. The military has accused agitators of looting and deliberately setting fire to both public and private property. All security institutions, it said, were prepared to take “full control of the situation” if required.
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Oli Resigns, Nation Awaits New Leadership
KP Oli, 73, a four-time prime minister and leader of the Communist Party, submitted his resignation letter to President Ramchandra Paudel, stating he stepped down “to facilitate a constitutional and political solution.”
While his exit marks a dramatic turn, it remains unclear who will succeed him or how stability can be restored, with many ministers reportedly seeking refuge under heavy security.
Uncertain Road Ahead
With parliament torched, political leaders under siege, and no clear successor in sight, Nepal finds itself at a critical crossroads. What began as a protest against online restrictions has morphed into a broader rebellion against decades of corruption, threatening to reshape the nation’s political landscape.