YOUTH LED PROTESTS FORCE NEPAL PM OLI TO RESIGN AFTER DEADLY CRACKDOWN

Nepal’s veteran prime minister resigned on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, a day after one of the deadliest crackdowns in years left at least 19 people dead, as youth-led protests demanded he step down. The demonstrations, which began Monday with calls to lift a social media ban and tackle corruption, reignited even after access to the apps was restored.

On Tuesday, protesters attacked and set fire to the home of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, 73, the Communist Party leader, according to Nepali media. “I have resigned from the post of prime minister with effect from today… to take further steps toward a political solution and resolution of the problems,” Oli announced.

Kathmandu police spokesman Shekhar Khanal said multiple groups defied a citywide curfew, with protesters clashing in several areas and incidents of arson and property damage reported. Government buildings and politicians’ residences were among the targets, according to witnesses and local media.

Oli, who began his fourth term last year after striking a coalition deal between his Communist Party and the centre-left Nepali Congress, stepped down following the earlier resignations of three ministers. This came despite the government reversing the social media ban, one of the main demands of Gen Z protesters, according to Communications Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung.

The ban had inflamed public anger in a nation with a young population: nearly 43 percent of Nepalis are aged 15–40, government data shows. Unemployment is around 10 percent, while GDP per capita stands at just $1,447, according to the World Bank. Demonstrators have consistently called for accountability from leaders.

“Nearly 20 people were murdered by the state, that shows the scale of police brutality,” said 23-year-old student Yujan Rajbhandari.

Authorities blocked Facebook, YouTube, and X on Friday, along with 26 other unregistered platforms. Amnesty International reported that live ammunition was fired at protesters on Monday, while the United Nations demanded a swift and transparent investigation.

Meanwhile, TikTok  which was not blocked has been flooded with viral videos contrasting the hardships of ordinary Nepalis with the lavish lifestyles of politicians’ children abroad.