Nepal’s prime minister tendered his resignation on Tuesday, an action that followed violent demonstrations in which protestors ignited the residences of the country’s most senior political figures, protesting against an unspecified issue and widespread government corruption.
The departure of Khadga Prasad Oli came just one day after police had opened fire on demonstrators, resulting in 19 deaths.
“Given the critical situation across the nation, I have resigned effective today to facilitate a solution to the problem and to help resolve it politically in accordance with the constitution,” Oli penned in his resignation letter to President Ram Chandra Poudel.
President Poudel’s residence was among those targeted by arson. The properties of Sher Bahadur Deuba, who leads the largest party in the Nepali Congress; Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak; and Maoist Pushpa Kamal Dahal, leader of the Communist Party of Nepal, were also set ablaze.
Local media sources reported that witnesses indicated certain government ministers were evacuated by military helicopters to safety, and Kathmandu’s primary airport ceased operations on Tuesday as a result of smoke from adjacent fires, according to Reuters.
These violent events occurred concurrently with the Nepali government’s wider effort to regulate social media through proposed legislation designed to ensure these platforms are “properly managed, responsible and accountable.”
Last week, several widely utilized social networks, such as Facebook, X, and YouTube, faced bans in Nepal for not adhering to a new mandate requiring them to register and subject themselves to government scrutiny.
The prohibition, which drew extensive criticism for allegedly serving as a censorship tool and a means to penalize government critics expressing dissent online, was rescinded early Tuesday, as reported by The Associated Press.
A curfew has been implemented in the capital and other urban areas, and schools within Kathmandu were shuttered. Nonetheless, protests persist, with demonstrators observed pelting stones at riot-gear-clad police, Reuters stated.
“Punish the murderers in government. Stop killing children,” protestors were heard chanting on Tuesday, while police utilized loudspeakers to implore them to disperse and return home.
Oli, aged 73, had taken his oath of office last July for what was his fourth term.
Hours before his resignation on Tuesday, Oli convened a meeting of political parties, remarking, “we must engage in peaceful dialogue to discover solutions to any problem,” Reuters reported.
The Nepali army confirmed the acceptance of Oli’s resignation and issued a statement via X, which included the plea: “We sincerely urge all citizens to exercise restraint to prevent further loss of life and property in this critical situation.”
Additionally, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak stepped down during an emergency Cabinet meeting held late on Monday.
The widespread demonstrations and the assault on parliament on Monday—dubbed the “Gen Z protest”—initially stemmed from opposition to the social media platform ban but intensified due to increasing frustration and discontent with political parties among the populace, as reported by the AP.
“I am here to protest against the extensive corruption prevalent in our country,” student Bishnu Thapa Chetri informed the news agency. “The nation has deteriorated to such an extent that for us young people, there are no reasons for us to remain in the country.”