Nepal’s political turmoil deepened on Tuesday as massive protests continued in Kathmandu for a second day, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. The unrest, which began after the government banned 26 social media platforms for failing to register, escalated when corruption allegations and governance failures added fuel to the fire. Protesters, many of them young demonstrators under the banner of "Gen Z," defied curfew orders, blocked roads, and chanted slogans such as “KP Chor, Desh Chhod” (Oli is a thief, quit the country).
Several Cabinet ministers either resigned or announced their intention to step down, citing the government’s refusal to address the grievances of protesters. Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned on moral grounds following Monday’s deadly clashes. Agriculture Minister Ramnath Adhikari and Health Minister Pradeep Paudel also quit, stating it was impossible to serve under the current circumstances. Youth and Sports Minister Teju Lal Chaudhary and Water Minister Pradeep Yadav joined the exodus, accusing the government of ignoring the frustrations of Nepal’s youth. Legislator Asim Shah resigned as well, with sources saying Congress leader Shekhar Koirala has asked his close associates to vacate their posts.
Despite the crisis, Nepal Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung told NDTV that Prime Minister Oli would not resign, blaming political parties and anarchists for hijacking the protests. Oli announced plans to meet opposition leaders and form a committee to investigate the violence, which has already spread to Pokhara, Butwal, Bhairahawa, Bharatpur, Itahari, and Damak.
Authorities have imposed strict curfews across Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur. Yet, protests turned violent as agitators vandalised the homes of prominent leaders, including President Ram Chandra Poudel, former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda,’ and Sher Bahadur Deuba. The residence of President Poudel was even set ablaze by demonstrators.
The protests began with placards demanding the government “shut down corruption, not social media,” reflecting growing frustration with governance failures. Police responded with water cannons, tear gas, and live rounds to disperse crowds after protesters stormed parts of the Parliament complex. As Oli appealed for peace and dialogue, Nepal remained on edge, with its political stability in question and the youth-driven movement intensifying calls for accountability and change.
