Nepal Prime Minister Resigns Amid Violent Anti-Corruption Protests, 19 Dead

Nepal’s Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli resigned amid escalating protests triggered by a short-lived government ban on social media platforms, including Facebook, X, and YouTube, which sparked widespread outrage especially among young people. The demonstrations, known as the protest of Gen Z, quickly expanded to broader anti-corruption demands and frustrations over the political elite's perceived disconnect and economic stagnation, with youth unemployment around 20%. Police responded to the protests with force, including live ammunition, resulting in at least 19 deaths and numerous injuries, which fueled further anger and violence, including the burning of parliament and attacks on political leaders' homes. Despite the lifting of the social media ban, protests continued unabated, reflecting deep-seated dissatisfaction with Nepal’s political leadership and governance. Oli’s resignation letter expressed hope for a political solution, but his whereabouts following the unrest remain unclear, and he was appointed to lead a caretaker government until a new one forms. The crisis highlights Nepal's ongoing struggle with corruption, political instability, and the demands of a politically engaged youth population.