Nepal’s Prime Minister Resigns Amid Generation Z-Led Protests Fueled By Social Media Ban And Government Corruption [VIDEO]

 

A dramatic political crisis has gripped Nepal after Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli submitted his resignation, following a surge of nationwide protests that left at least 19 people dead and hundreds more wounded. The unrest, ignited by a controversial government-imposed social media ban and simmering frustrations over corruption and a stagnant economy, has evolved into the most significant wave of demonstrations Nepal has witnessed in decades.

The country of roughly 30 million has been no stranger to instability since it dismantled its centuries-old monarchy and declared itself a republic in 2008. Political turnover has been relentless, with more than a dozen governments coming and going in less than two decades. Yet the sheer scale and intensity of the current movement, led primarily by young people under the age of 30, has startled Nepal’s leadership class and drawn international attention.

Oli announced his resignation on Tuesday through a formal letter, citing what he described as “the extraordinary situation” confronting the nation. His departure comes after days of violent clashes between security forces and demonstrators, who returned to the streets even as authorities imposed curfews and deployed heavy police presence across major cities. Witnesses reported widespread use of live ammunition, water cannons, and tear gas by state forces in a desperate attempt to disperse the crowds.

Despite these aggressive tactics, momentum behind the protests only grew stronger. Young Nepalis, many of whom fall into Generation Z, described the social media ban as the final spark that pushed them to act. For them, platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram represent not just entertainment but also political expression, community building, and economic opportunities in a country where job prospects remain scarce. Blocking access to these platforms, critics argue, symbolized deeper issues of governmental overreach and disregard for freedoms.

Tensions escalated further when images surfaced showing protesters torching a police booth and burning furniture outside the headquarters of the Nepali Congress, the country’s largest political party. Such scenes underscored the breadth of anger not only at Oli’s administration but at the wider political establishment, long accused of corruption, nepotism, and failure to deliver development.

Kathmandu, the capital, bore the brunt of the turmoil. Crowds defied curfews, chanting slogans and waving flags, even as armed police lines attempted to push them back. The nation’s only international airport was temporarily shut down, halting flights and stranding passengers, as clashes near the site raised concerns about security.

Elsewhere, cities such as Chandrapur witnessed similar defiance. Local officials confirmed that protesters there set a police vehicle ablaze after authorities fired warning shots to keep residents indoors. The resilience of demonstrators, particularly the young, highlighted a generational shift in Nepali politics, with frustrations boiling over after years of broken promises and economic stagnation.

Observers note that Oli’s resignation does not immediately resolve the crisis. Nepal faces a power vacuum and the possibility of fresh elections, though uncertainty looms over whether new leadership can channel the demands of the restless youth into concrete reforms. Political experts caution that without meaningful action on jobs, transparency, and freedoms, unrest could resurface in the months ahead.

International reactions have been muted but closely watchful. Human rights groups condemned the heavy-handed use of live ammunition against unarmed demonstrators, urging Nepal’s leaders to prioritize dialogue over force. Regional powers are monitoring developments carefully, mindful that instability in the Himalayan nation could have ripple effects across South Asia.

For young protesters, however, the resignation marks only the beginning. Many view Oli’s departure as a symbolic victory but stress that their demands extend far beyond one leader. What they want is structural change: a government that creates opportunities, respects freedoms, and listens to its citizens rather than silencing them.

Nepal now stands at a crossroads, facing the difficult task of balancing immediate security concerns with long-term reforms. The energy and determination of its youth movement have shaken the foundations of political life, signaling that the next chapter of the republic may be shaped not in the parliament but on the streets. Whether this historic uprising will translate into lasting transformation remains an open question, yet one thing is clear: Generation Z has arrived as a force that the political elite can no longer ignore.