Nepal’s Gen Z Protests Defy Curfew as PM Oli Resigns

Lead Anti-corruption demonstrations spearheaded by Nepal’s Gen Z defied an indefinite curfew in Kathmandu on Tuesday, as Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli abruptly resigned amid unrest that left 19 dead and hundreds injured.

Nut Graf What began as peaceful rallies against a sweeping social media ban and endemic governmental corruption on Monday escalated into violent clashes with security forces, prompting youth-led calls for mass resignations and fresh elections that toppled Nepal’s leader.

Main Details Subheading: Curfew Ignored, Slogans Against Elite Protesters congregated outside the federal parliament and around Singha Durbar, chanting “KP Chor, Desh Chhod” (“KP Oli is a thief, quit the country”), and setting ablaze tyres along Kathmandu’s Ring Road despite police tear gas and rubber bullets.

Subheading: Government Concessions and Resignations Following Monday’s crackdown, the administration lifted its ban on 26 social media platforms and saw two cabinet ministers resign. Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak and two others stepped down on moral grounds before Oli announced his own departure on Tuesday, acknowledging the “deep sorrow” over lives lost.

Subheading: Geographical Spread and Youth Leadership While Kathmandu remained the epicentre, similar Gen Z gatherings emerged in Birgunj, Itahari, and Butwal, where student groups even took to guarding public property to curb further violence. Protests targeted the homes of top officials, including the residences of the president and senior ministers, which were vandalised or torched.

Subheading: Casualties and International Concern At least 19 protesters were killed and over 250 wounded after security forces used live ammunition, rubber bullets, and water cannons to disperse crowds that breached barricades around the parliament complex on Monday. The United Nations and Human Rights Watch have condemned the use of lethal force and called for impartial investigations.

Subheading: Next Steps and Political Fallout With Oli’s resignation leaving a leadership vacuum, Nepal’s coalition parties face pressure to form an interim government. Protest organisers are demanding the dissolution of parliament and fresh elections “to end corruption and ensure accountability,” signalling that the movement could intensify if their demands are not met.