Nepal Aragalaya makes PM, Cabinet resign

Nepal is plunged into political turmoil after Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli resigned today, following deadly “Gen Z” protests ,triggered by a sudden social media ban.

- S VENKAT NARAYAN

The unrest—not seen in decades—has exposed deep-rooted frustrations over corruption, censorship, and unemployment.

The crisis began when the Oli administration imposed a sweeping ban on 26 major social media platforms—including Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube—citing noncompliance with new government registration and oversight rules.

Although TikTok and Viber complied with the regulations and remained functional, the restrictions sparked outrage among Nepal's younger generation, who viewed the ban as blatant censorship.

On September 8, mass demonstrations erupted across Kathmandu and several cities, led primarily by Gen Z activists. Slogans against corruption and censorship echoed in city streets as protestors defied a newly declared curfew.

Security forces responded with tear gas, rubber bullets, and live ammunition, resulting in 19 deaths and over 100 injuries—the bloodiest day in Nepal in years.