Unrest in Nepal: Protests Escalate Despite Home Minister’s Resignation, Youth Demand PM’s Ouster
Social Media Ban, Police Firing Fuel Nationwide Anger
Nepal remains on edge as violent protests continue across Kathmandu and surrounding regions, following public outrage over a social media ban and deepening corruption allegations. On Monday, thousands of young demonstrators — largely from Generation Z — flooded the streets, attempting to storm the national parliament. Clashes erupted after security forces responded with force, resulting in the deaths of 19 protesters and injuries to many more.
Government in Crisis Mode, But Protesters Unmoved
Facing national and international criticism, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s administration appears to be in damage control. In a bid to pacify the protesters, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak tendered his resignation, and PM Oli hinted at easing restrictions on social media. However, the government stopped short of lifting the ban immediately, citing regulatory concerns.
Despite these gestures, demonstrators remain unconvinced. “The Home Minister stepping down is not enough,” said several protest leaders. “The real accountability lies with Prime Minister Oli himself. He must resign.”
Protesters Blame PM Directly for Violence
The youth-led movement accuses the government of stifling free speech and using excessive force against peaceful demonstrations. The protesters argue that the Prime Minister not only endorsed the crackdown but is also trying to shift blame by highlighting “external infiltrators” in the protest ranks.
“We were protesting peacefully,” said one activist, “but the government turned it into a massacre. Now they’re blaming outsiders instead of taking responsibility.”
Oli: ‘Unfortunate Incident’ Hijacked Peaceful Movement
In his public address, Prime Minister Oli acknowledged the gravity of the situation, calling the deaths “a tragic outcome.” He claimed the original protests were peaceful, but alleged that “anarchic elements” infiltrated the crowd, forcing the government to act to protect constitutional institutions.
He emphasized that the administration supports the aspirations of the youth but maintained that some security measures were necessary to preserve order. Oli further claimed that the government’s intention was never to suppress social media access but highlighted that platforms have not complied with Nepal’s local registration requirements.
No Immediate Relief in Sight
Though the government has promised an investigation into the violence and taken a softer tone in recent statements, it has refused to fully lift the social media ban — a core demand of the movement. Cabinet meetings have been held to assess the situation, but no concrete steps have been announced to de-escalate tensions.
With protests showing no signs of slowing down and opposition mounting within the streets and online, the Oli government faces one of its most significant political crises in recent years.
