Nepal Political Crisis LIVE: PM KP Sharma Oli Resigns As Gen Z Protests Intensify

Nepal Army Chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel stated that the Nepalese army will safeguard the citizens during the current protests. He sympathized with the families affected and noted that the duty of army is to keep citizens, national property, and diplomatic missions safe.

Sigdel added that the protests must be carried out without violence and asked demonstrators to show restraint, promote unity and display patriotism.

China is yet to comment on the resignation of Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. The former prime minister was long seen as one of Beijing’s closest allies.

Oli resigned from his position on Tuesday amid massive anti-government protests that saw demonstrators storm private homes of major leaders, ransack party headquarters, and even vandalise the parliament. Houses of many senior leaders were also set ablaze by the protesters.

Hundreds of prisoners escaped after protesters stormed a prison on Tuesday in Dhangadhi, Nepal.  

Ranjit Rae, former Indian diplomat to Nepal, has noted that the protests against government is not merely against social media ban but also due to rampant corruption, facilities given to political families and a gulf between Nepal’s youth and its political leadership under former PM KP Oli. 

Meanwhile, Nepal Army Chief Gen. Ashok Raj Sigdel will speak to the protesters amid worsening crisis in Nepal, media reports have said.

Nepal Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel has reportedly been assaulted by protesters, with a video of the incident going viral on social media. The widely shared clip shows a man running down a street surrounded by protestors. As he attempts to flee, one individual is seen kicking him while others catch hold of him. Several reports have identified the man as Bishnu Paudel. Read More

KP Oli, who served as the 45th Prime Minister of Nepal, is also the President of the Communist Party of Nepal (UML). He assumed office on 15 July 2024. This was his third tenure as PM of Nepal. Earlier, he served from 11 October 2015 to 24 July 2016, and from 15 February 2018 to 13 July 2021.

Kathmandu Post published a report in 2018 detailing the fortunes of the now former PM. Oli had approximately 17 to 18 tolas of gold and 5.2 million Nepali rupees in his bank account. This disclosure was made during his second term as Prime Minister.

He also owns 1.5 ropani of land in Bhaktapur. His wife, Radhika Shakya, owns ten kattha of land in Jhapa and holds 2.5 million Nepali rupees in her bank account. 

Read More

The Himalayan country of Nepal with an estimated population of 30 million has been rocked by violent protests this week, led mainly by young people aged between 13 and 28 – the so-called Generation Z. The unrest was triggered after the government imposed a sweeping ban on social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, and X, seeking to regulate misinformation and hate speech. The move, however, drew heavy criticism with demonstrators taking to streets in protests that turned not only violent but also deadly. Here is what we know so far.

In view of the developing situation in Nepal, the MEA issues advisroy, stating, “Indian citizens are advised to defer travel there until the situation has stabilised. Indian citizens presently in Nepal are advised to shelter in their current places of residence, avoid going out onto the streets and exercise all due caution. They are also advised to follow local safety advisories from Nepal authorities as well as the Embassy of India in Kathmandu.”

The ministry has also issued the following helpline numbers:

1. +977 – 980 860 2881 ( WhatsApp call also)

2. +977 – 981 032 6134 ( WhatsApp call also )

Prime Minister of Nepal, KP Sharma Oli, on Tuesday, resigned after Gen Z protests rocked the country over corruption charges, which were fueled by the ban of 26 social media platforms. The protests turned violent, leading to the deaths of 19 people, while more than 300 were injured. Authorities extended the curfew, but protestors didn’t budge, continuing the demonstrations. 

Read More Here

Last week, KP Sharma Oli-led Nepal government blocked Facebook, X, YouTube, and other social media platforms after they refused to register under new government rules aimed at tighter oversight, triggering public fury.

On Monday afternoon, Police opened fire on tens of thousands rallying against the social media ban near Parliament, killing 19 as protesters chanted, “Stop the ban on social media. Stop corruption, not social media.”

Visuals shared by X users show young protesters celebrating the fall of KP Sharma Oli government as the parliament building in Kathmandu burns in the background.

Earlier during the day, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak also resigned from his post during an emergency cabinet meeting following the reported deaths of 19 protesters in police shooting-related incidents, AP reports.

Local authorities imposed indefinite curfew across Kathmandu and other urban centers across Nepal as unrest continues. Schools in the capital remain closed for the day, according to The Associated Press.

Protesters in Kathmandu attacked and set fire to homes of several top politicians, including leaders of Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of Nepal Maoist, plus a private school owned by the foreign minister’s family, The Associated Press reports.

Nepal Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli has announced immediate resignation following deadly protests that were sparked by a controversial social media ban and mounting frustration over corruption, Reuters reports.