Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli resigns as Gen Z protests sweep nation

Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has resigned amid an escalating wave of youth-driven protests that have shaken the country and forced senior ministers from office.

His departure was confirmed on Tuesday, hours after demonstrators stormed government buildings and set fire to his residence in Balkot, Bhaktapur.

The unrest, led largely by Gen Z activists, erupted over deep-seated corruption and nepotism in politics.

Tensions flared last week after the government imposed a sweeping ban on 26 social media platforms — including Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram — a move critics said was aimed at silencing dissent.

The ban triggered mass demonstrations across Kathmandu and beyond, with police crackdowns leaving at least 19 people dead and hundreds injured. Despite the government’s decision to lift the restrictions following an emergency Cabinet meeting, anger continued to mount.

Several ministers, including those responsible for home affairs and agriculture, resigned in the wake of the violence. Oli had attempted to calm the crisis by calling an all-party dialogue, but his appeal for talks came too late to stem the protests.

The turmoil has underscored growing generational frustration in Nepal, with young people demanding transparency, accountability and systemic reform.