Nepal Finance Minister Assaulted by Protesters Amid Political Unrest

Lead: Nepal’s Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel was chased and beaten by demonstrators on a Kathmandu street on Tuesday as anti-corruption protests intensified following Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli’s resignation.

Nut Graf: The assault, captured in a widely circulated video, underscores escalating public fury over alleged government corruption and a recent social media ban that sparked nationwide unrest and left scores injured and political leadership in crisis.

Protests Escalate

• Demonstrators targeted Paudel while hundreds clashed with security forces, deploying tear gas and water cannons to contain crowds around the parliament complex.
• Outrage began after the government briefly blocked platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp, drawing accusations of censorship and fuelling Gen Z-led demonstrations.
• At least 19 protesters died and over 100 were injured during violent confrontations on Monday and Tuesday.

Political Fallout

• Prime Minister Oli stepped down on Tuesday amid defiance of an indefinite curfew and mounting calls for accountability.
• Four additional cabinet ministers resigned in the wake of the unrest, deepening the power vacuum and intensifying calls for an inclusive interim government.
• President Ramchandra Paudel has accepted the resignations and initiated discussions with major parties to form a new administration in accordance with the constitution.

International and Economic Implications

• The upheaval threatens to derail Nepal’s economic recovery, with investors monitoring stability ahead of the upcoming fiscal year’s budget statement.
• The World Bank and Asian Development Bank have urged swift political resolution to sustain growth and donor confidence.

Outlook

The government faces pressing demands for transparency and reform. With leadership in flux and public trust eroded, Nepal’s political actors must negotiate a credible transitional arrangement or risk further unrest and economic uncertainty.