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A month after the violent Gen-Z protests of Sept 8–9 shook the nation, former prime minister KP Sharma Oli has resurfaced—defiant, unbowed, and unrepentant. In a rare interaction with editors, he dismissed the current interim administration led by Sushila Karki as “unconstitutional,” ruled out any possibility of elections in March, and called for the restoration of parliament as the only legitimate way forward.

“This government was born out of the pressure, not the constitution,” he declared, leaning into his familiar mix of grievance and confidence. What followed was a long and wide-ranging conversation that offered a glimpse into Oli’s political state of mind—part justification, part warning, and part self-assurance that he may yet return to power.

Social media ban that sparked the fire

Oli stood by his government’s decision to ban social media — the very trigger that ignited the youth-led movement. According to him, the step was neither sudden nor authoritarian.

“For a year and a half, we’d been requesting global platforms to register in Nepal,” he said. “TikTok was banned until it complied. Out of 26 platforms, some were processing registration, while others flatly refused to follow our constitution or pay taxes.”

He insisted the ban was meant to be temporary, claiming that discussions were underway with several platforms. But by the time those talks progressed, the streets had already erupted.

Understanding and undermining GenZ’s demands

Oli said he was not opposed to the protesters’ core demands: good governance, anti-corruption, and the restoration of digital freedoms. “Their concerns were genuine,” he said, “and the government was already working to address them.”

But he was quick to add a caveat. “The protests lacked specificity on corruption. Until Sept 7, security agencies reported no major threats. They said the students would protest peacefully and return home.”

On the generational accusation of “nepo baby politics,” he sounded irritated. “I don’t accept that term. Why scare children with such words? It’s not arrogance; it’s about fairness.” Oli said that Gen-Z protestors have not called for his resignation. 

He stated that it is natural for parents to love, care for, and provide opportunities to their children, and accused that portraying this in a negative light has caused mental stress to children and youth.

The three phases of the protests

Oli broke down the Sept 8–9 events into what he called “three distinct stages.” The first, on the morning of Sept 8, involved peaceful student demonstrations that soon spiraled out of control. “Infiltrators provoked the crowd, using students as shields,” he alleged.

The second phase, later that day, was marked by “coordinated violence,” and the third on Sept 9 by widespread unrest. “Students were killed to create a pretext for chaos,” he said, adding that his government had formed a probe panel the same day 19 students died.

‘Cell seized for three days’

For the first time, Oli revealed details of his dramatic exit from power. He said that after resigning at around 1 pm on Sept 9, he was whisked away from Baluwatar by the Nepal Army and taken to a military barrack “for security reasons.”

“My phone was seized for three days,” he said. “I got it back only after Sushila Karki was appointed prime minister on Sept 12.”

Asked whether this amounted to house arrest, Oli replied: “I was under the Army’s security. Call it whatever you want.”

On Karki’s appointment

Oli maintained that he had not nominated anyone as his successor. “Yes, I gave my recommendation, but I didn’t name any individual, including Karki,” he said.

According to him, both President Ramchandra Paudel and Army Chief Ashok Raj Sigdel met him at the barrack before appointing the new prime minister. “I told them a government must be formed within the constitutional and parliamentary framework, and they agreed.”

‘This government is unconstitutional’

The former prime minister remains unwavering in his stance that the Karki-led administration violates the constitution.

“As per the constitution, a former chief justice cannot hold top executive office, except in the National Human Rights Commission,” he said. “Is this how democracy works? Is this how a prime minister is chosen — throught voting and discord ? That’s not democracy; that’s a spectacle.”

He added: “Should I lie because I’m afraid? Should I bow down and speak untruths?”

Rejecting the probe commission

Oli made it clear he would not cooperate with the probe commission headed by former judge, Gauri Bahadur Karki.

“I won’t appear before that commission,” he said. “Just because KP Oli is innocent, does that mean commissions can be formed anywhere and I must go and give statements? KP Oli doesn’t betray himself.”

‘Probe my property’

Responding to reports that government agencies are investigating the assets of major political leaders, including himself, Sher Bahadur Deuba, and Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Oli sounded unfazed.

“Even journalists can investigate my property,” he said. “There might be around two million rupees in my account — my salary savings. The government can check if I have any bank accounts abroad.”

Talk of a comeback

Asked about his political future, Oli smiled. “If things continue like this, the chances of KP Oli’s return increase,” he said. “People won’t tolerate this disorder for long.”

Environment not conducive for polls

Oli dismissed the idea of elections on March 5, calling them “impossible under the current situation.”

“Over 4,000 prisoners are still on the loose, and 1,200 weapons have been looted. How can elections take place in such an environment?” he asked.

His party, CPN-UML, has since decided to prioritize parliamentary restoration over elections,  a move he says reflects political reality, not opportunism.

‘They want to arrest us’

Oli accused the interim government of planning to arrest him and other senior leaders. “Prime Minister Karki has been meeting with the Attorney General and other officials to find ways to detain us,” he alleged. “It’s a mockery of democracy when leaders can’t move freely in their own country.”

‘I won’t step down’

Oli brushed aside internal calls to resign as UML party chair. “Sher Bahadur Deuba has appointed an acting president because he’s unwell. But I’m fit. So why should I?”

He said the party’s upcoming General Convention in December will be the place to raise questions, not the media. “Leadership is decided by people, not pundits,” he said.

On criticism about his age, Oli turned philosophical and a little playful. “The US president (81) is older than me, Putin is seven months younger, and Bangladesh’s prime minister is 82,” he said. “Leadership isn’t about age; it’s about timing and necessity.”

Oli stated that there are still many who want to see him in the party leadership. If I do not play, another captain will emerge, Oli said, for now, they are still looking to KP Oli as a captain. 

He said: “I have the ability to work, I am physically fit. This is a matter of the needs of the country and the party.” 

A hint at external hands

Toward the end of the conversation, Oli sidestepped questions about “foreign involvement” in the protests, a topic he had previously raised within his party. He offered only a hint: “There are external influences shaping the current situation.” He then turned his attention to the media. “Some outlets played a provocative role during the protests,” he said. “But I urge journalists to not practice self-censorship. Write the truth, without fear.”

  Uncertain time 

KP Oli said that he is loyal to the country and the people. The country has entered a state of uncertainty.  The values and principles I speak are of the matters of my conviction, Oli said.

CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli has called for an immediate reinstatement of the House of Representatives that was dissolved in the wake of the Sept 8-9 GenZ protests. He has also announced a national movement to “protect the constitution, democracy, and national unity,” while alleging that a deep-rooted conspiracy was behind the violent incidents that followed the GenZ protests.

Presenting a political document at the party’s central committee meeting on Wednesday, Oli said the tragic events were not random but part of a premeditated design aimed at destabilizing the nation and overturning the current constitutional order.

“The incidents of Sept 8-9 were not spontaneous public anger. It was a planned act to push the country into crisis and to destroy democracy and national unity,” Oli said, addressing the committee.

The UML report claimed that over 1,600 public and private properties were torched, vandalized, or looted, and that more than 14,000 prisoners were freed from jails across the country, with thousands still at large. It also alleged that around 1,200 weapons and nearly 100,000 rounds of ammunition were stolen from police and security forces.

“These events were too widespread, too coordinated, and too well-timed to be coincidental,” the document stated, alleging that certain domestic and foreign forces had taken advantage of public frustration to weaken Nepal’s sovereignty.

Oli strongly criticized the current caretaker government led by former Chief Justice Sushila Karki, calling it “illegal, directionless, and incompetent.” He accused the government of failing to ensure public security, obstructing the constitutional rights of political parties, and creating instability by dissolving the House, instead of finding a democratic solution.

“The current government has no constitutional or moral legitimacy. It is incapable of holding credible elections and maintaining law and order,” Oli said, calling for the immediate reinstatement of Parliament.

Rejecting the government-formed inquiry commission as politically motivated, the UML demanded an independent and impartial high-level investigation led by a former Supreme Court justice to determine the causes of the violence and hold those responsible accountable.

Oli said his party would not accept any attempt to cover up the incident or to blame only the security forces without looking into the larger conspiracy behind the unrest.

The document also warned that thousands of escaped inmates and stolen arms pose a continuing threat to public safety. Oli urged citizens to remain vigilant and cooperate with law enforcement, while calling on the state to restore morale among the security forces who, he said, “acted under impossible circumstances to protect national property and lives.”

While condemning the violence, Oli acknowledged that the GenZ protesters had raised genuine concerns about corruption, unemployment, and governance. He said the UML recognizes these frustrations but warned that “foreign-influenced groups” may have tried to hijack the movement for destructive purposes. “The voices of the youth must be heard and addressed through reforms, not violence,” he said, calling on young people to channel their energy toward constructive democratic engagement.

The UML has resolved to launch a nationwide campaign—described as a “people’s movement for the protection of the constitution”—to press for the restoration of parliamentary democracy. Oli urged all pro-constitutional forces, civil society members, and citizens to join what he termed a peaceful struggle for national stability and democratic integrity.

He also announced that the UML’s 11th General Convention will be held in Pokhara on Dec 13-15, where the party will finalize its next political strategy. “We will not let conspiracies derail the achievements of our people’s struggle,” Oli declared. “The UML will stand at the forefront to defend the constitution, democracy, and national sovereignty.”

The central committee is expected to endorse Oli’s political document and approve a roadmap for mass mobilization in the coming days. The party leadership said it will focus on exposing what it calls the “deep political manipulation” behind the September unrest, while preparing organizationally for both political movement and eventual elections.

Oli also warned against the notion that his party is permanently out of government, saying the UML remains the leading political force capable of steering Nepal’s political and economic development. He said, “Some might think the UML is gone from power for good. That’s an illusion. UML is the party that has led Nepal’s political and economic progress—it has proven this in practice.”

He cited the latest World Bank report, claiming it vindicated the UML’s governance record. “The World Bank itself has said the economic growth rate will decline by three percent this year. This shows the difference between when we were in government and after we left,” he remarked, arguing that the UML had worked to uphold national dignity and create the conditions for Nepal’s graduation from a least-developed to a developing country.

Oli admitted that internal jealousy and infighting have long weakened the UML, saying there was never “complete unity” within the party. “Even when I was prime minister, there were always elements of envy, backbiting, and attempts to pull my government down,” he said. “Our own members continuously spread lies and deceit to make the government fail.” He alleged that the government formed after the promulgation of the constitution was toppled from within the party itself, just when it had begun implementing historic and long-term development programs.

Warning that the country is being pushed toward “counter-revolution,” Oli said the recent events were taking Nepal in a dangerous direction. “An unexpected reactionary incident has taken place in the country. If we cannot stop it effectively, Nepal will be dragged into counter-revolution,” he said.

He added that the nation is “sliding toward ruin” and stressed the need to restore democratic, peaceful, and development-oriented governance. “We must immediately bring the country back to a democratic, people-oriented, corruption-free and peaceful path,” he said.

Oli emphasized that the UML has become a primary target because of its good performance, not wrongdoing. “We are under attack not because of bad policies but because our policies are right and pro-national,” he said.

The UML chair proposed strict disciplinary action against any member involved in unethical, anarchic, or corrupt activities. “The Secretariat has strengthened party unity during this difficult time. Now, the Central Organization Department will take immediate action against those who violate discipline and inform the Secretariat accordingly,” he announced. Oli urged central committee members to embody and promote unity within the organization. “Let us internalize this spirit of unity and make it stronger throughout the party,” he appealed.

In a notable outreach, Oli invited the CPN (Unified Socialist)—which split from the UML in 2021—to return for party reunification, saying unity among left forces is crucial for national stability. “Do not seek shelter in others’ courtyards. This is a strong house—come back home,” Oli said, addressing the Unified Socialist. “This party has hundreds of thousands of dedicated cadres. Don’t wander elsewhere looking for space.” He also called on other political forces to join hands for cooperation and national unity.

Oli also said he had always remained steadfast in his principles despite political challenges. “I have never deviated or changed. I have always stood firm for the country and the people,” he said, asserting his commitment to leading the UML toward renewed strength and purpose.

CPN-UML Chairman Oli has proposed in the political report he presented in the Central Committee meeting to hold the party General Convention from December 13-15 in Pokhara, according to UML's Head of the Publicity and Publication Department Rajendra Gautam.

He also presented his views in the political report about the Gen Z protests held on September 8 and 9, and the current government. 

The report stresses on cooperation among democratic forces for the unity and defence of the republic and the Constitution.

CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli stressed on the need for strong unity within the party during difficult and adverse situations.

Inaugurating the party's 10th Central Committee meeting meeting at Rambagh Palace in Bhanimandal, Lalitpur, today, he clarified that the CPN-UML is a party which is not one that drifts wherever the wind blows.

The UML Chair and former Prime Minister Oli said that the UML continuously works for patriotism, nationalism, development and social justice, urging all parties to unite in the national interest in the current situation.

"If the party's Central Committee tells and orders me, I am ready to step down from leadership happily. But I will not leave the country neglected in a difficult situation. It is not Facebook that decides whether I should resign as the party chairperson; it is the Committee that decides. Whenever the Committee says so, I am ready to step down from leadership very happily. No member of this Committee should go outside chasing populism," party Chairman Oli said.

Chairman Oli also called on the leaders and workers of the CPN (Unified Socialist) to return to the UML.

Oli is currently presenting the contemporary political report in the meeting. The meeting will continue until October 17.

The 10th Central Committee meeting of the CPN-UML commenced today at the Rambagh Palace in Bhanimandal, Lalitpur.

This is the first Central Committee meeting following the Gen Z protests held on September 8–9, the subsequent formation of a new government, the announcement of parliamentary elections scheduled for March 5, 2026, and the dissolution of the House of Representatives.

Addressing the meeting, party Chair and former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli emphasized the need for party unity to foster democracy, peace, development, social justice, and prosperity. 

Oli is also scheduled to present his political report during the session.

Earlier, the party’s Central Secretariat meeting, held on October 12, had agreed to organize the party’s 11th National General Convention in the second week of December.

A committee has been formed to prepare a contemporary political report for the meeting. 

The committee includes Deputy General Secretaries Pradeep Gyawali, Standing Committee Member Rajendra Gautam, and the party’s Chief Whip in the dissolved parliament, Mahesh Bartaula.

During the meeting, Chair Oli administered the oath of office and secrecy to Dr Bijay Subba, who was elected Chair of the party’s Central Election Commission during the second Statute Convention held on September 7.

CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli has claimed that the current situation in the country is unusual.

Addressing a program organized by the Bhaktapur District Committee today, Oli said that the current government was not formed in accordance with the Constitution.

“The current situation in the country is unusual because there is a government in the country. The current government is not formed according to the Constitution,” the former Prime Minister said.

"The Constitution of Nepal clearly states that a person, who has already served as the Chief Justice, cannot hold any government post for personal benefit," he added.

Despite increasing calls from both within and outside their ranks, Nepal’s major political parties — the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, and CPN (Maoist Center) — are unlikely to witness any immediate changes in their top leadership.

The recent Zen-Z protests have triggered widespread debate about the need for generational leadership change in Nepal’s political landscape. Many argue that in order to remain relevant, party heads should promptly hand over leadership to younger figures. There have been growing demands for the resignation of key leaders: Sher Bahadur Deuba (Nepali Congress), KP Sharma Oli (CPN-UML), and Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ (CPN-Maoist Center), the first, second and third largest party in Parliament. 

While Oli and Dahal have recently emerged from Nepal Army protection to resume public statements, Deuba — who sustained serious injuries during the protests — remains under treatment in army barracks. Despite the pressure, a leadership transition seems unlikely, as second-rung leaders in all three parties strongly oppose the idea. According to its statute, the Nepali Congress is set to hold its general convention next year to elect new leadership. Deuba, who has already served two terms (2016–2021 and 2021–2026), is not eligible to contest again. However, due to the interim government’s announcement of elections on March 5 next year, the chances of holding an early convention appear slim.

It remains uncertain whether the Nepali Congress will participate in the upcoming elections. Deuba and his spouse were severely beaten and their house burned during the protests, which likely strengthens his resolve not to resign before the general convention, regardless of the cost. At its first Central Committee (CC) meeting following the protests, the party chose not to appoint an acting president and instead decided to wait for Deuba’s recovery. Despite internal calls to convene a special general convention, the CC rejected that option. The meeting concluded that the dissolution of Parliament was unconstitutional and emphasized building a consensus with other parties for its revival.

Within the CPN-UML, although there are minor voices opposing Oli’s continued leadership, there is no significant pressure for him to resign. The party’s statute convention, held just before the protests, removed both the 70-year age limit andterm limits, paving the way for Oli to lead the party for a third consecutive term. The UML’s next leadership election is scheduled for next year, but the ongoing constitutional and political crisis may delay the convention. Moreover, there is currently no consensus on a potential successor should Oli step down. Similarly, the CPN (Maoist Center) is preparing for its general convention, but Prachanda is also unlikely to relinquish leadership. At a recent party meeting, senior leader Janardhan Sharma challenged Dahal’s leadership, but he was quickly rebuked and isolated by many within the party.  

CPN-UML Chair and former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has appealed to all to get united for the protection of the Constitution and national sovereignty.

Issuing a press statement today on the occasion of the Constitution Day, he described the Constitution as a road map to the future, crafted by Nepali citizens themselves. 

Accusing of the infiltration during the recent two-day Gen-Z nationwide protests, causing violence, he expressed his sorrow over the loss of valuable lives during the demonstrations. 

He said that no order was given to shoot at demonstrators who were youths deliberately. "Incidents involving the use of automated arms not in possession of the police should be investigated," he demanded.  

Reiterating his grief over the deaths of youths during the demonstrations, he wished for speedy recovery of the injured. 

He claimed that the new generation is capable of assessing the situations both in the past and the present, and also expressed his concern over the arson attacks on the Singha Durbar, the country's major administrative hub.

 Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned on Tuesday as anti-corruption demonstrators defied an indefinite curfew and clashed with police, a day after 19 people died in violent protests triggered by a social media ban, Reuters reported.

Oli's government lifted the ban after protests intensified on Monday, with police firing tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters trying to storm parliament. Nineteen people were killed and more than 100 injured in the unrest.

But there was no letup in the protests on Tuesday, forcing Oli to quit and plunging Nepal into fresh political uncertainty.

The unrest is the worst in decades in the poor Himalayan country that is wedged between India and China and has struggled with political instability and economic uncertainty since protests led to the abolition of its monarchy in 2008, according to Reuters.

"In view of the adverse situation in the country, I have resigned effective today to facilitate the solution to the problem and to help resolve it politically in accordance with the constitution," Oli said in his resignation letter to President Ramchandra Paudel.

Prime Minister KP Sharma resigned from his post on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Oli submitted his resignation after the situation worsened on Tuesday after 19 people died in protests in Gen Z.

Earlier, Prime Minister Oli had called an all-party meeting at 6 pm.

However, protesters are setting fire to the houses of leaders.

Protesters have set fire to Prime Minister Oli's residence in Balkot, residence of Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba in Budhanilkantha and the houses of leaders and ministers.

Similarly, protesters have also set police posts on fire and also entered Singhadurbar.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s house has been set on fire on Tuesday.

Protesters set fire to the house of Prime Minister Oli in Balkot, Bhaktapur this afternoon.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli called an all-party meeting on Tuesday.

The Prime Minister's Secretariat said that an all-party meeting has been called for 6 pm today.

Prime Minister Oli has appealed to find a solution through dialogue, saying that any form of violence is not in the interest of the country.

Gen Z has launched protests against social media ban and corruption since Monday.

Nineteen people lost their lives during the protests across the country on Monday while hundreds of injured people are being treated.

Opposition parties representing in the Parliament have demanded resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

The meeting of the opposition parties, held at the call of CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman and former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal at the Maoist Center’s Parliamentary Party Office in Singhadurbar on Tuesday, demanded resignation of Prime Minister Oli, stating that the government suppressed the protests of Gen Z.

After the meeting, Maoist Center Deputy General Secretary Barshaman Pun said that the government suppression on Gen Z protests was an the assault on republic and demanded resigation of Prime Minister Oli.

Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba has reached Baluwatar to meet Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

Deuba has reached the Prime Minister's residence in Baluwatar to discuss the incidents and protests of Gen Z.

It is learnt that they will also discuss the issue about the deactivation of social media platforms.

At least 19 youths were killed and more than 300 seriously injured after police launched a brutal crackdown on protests organized by GenZ in Kathmandu and across the country. In the capital, thousands of young demonstrators marching toward the federal parliament building in New Baneshwar were met with an uncompromising display of state force as they demanded an end to corruption and the lifting of the social media ban to secure the civic space of youths. Security forces fired live ammunition, released teargas, and beat demonstrators in Kathmandu and several other regions, leaving a trail of casualties and widespread outrage.

Police fired water cannons, teargas shells and rubber bullets at the crowd, and eventually opened fire when protesters breached the security barricades near the parliament building. Youth-led rallies in major cities spread beyond Kathmandu. Similar GenZ protests were reported in Jhapa, Itahari, Biratnagar, Pokhara, Butwal, Chitwan, Nepalgunj and other towns across the country. The Nepali Army was deployed in Kathmandu to support police around the parliament building. Army sources confirmed that two to three platoons were sent to Kathmandu at the request of civilian authorities, primarily to secure the Parliament area. The District Administration Office imposed curfew in the major areas of the city.  In Butwal and Bhairahawa, the local administration imposed curfew from late afternoon. Curfew orders were also issued in Sunsari, Pokhara, Itahari, and Rupandehi.

Casualties and eyewitness accounts

Casualty reports began to emerge from Kathmandu’s hospitals Monday afternoon. Trauma Center reported six fatalities, Civil Hospital three, Everest Hospital three, and Kathmandu Medical College (KMC) and Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital confirmed a death each. Many wounded protesters were being treated or transferred to other facilities as hospitals became overwhelmed. 

Four journalists covering the protest also suffered rubber-bullet wounds while reporting the clashes.

Two people were killed in police firing in Itahari, Sunsari. According to hospital sources, the victims, estimated to be men aged 25 and 30, died from gunshot injuries. Police said they were taken to BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences in Dharan, where doctors pronounced them dead shortly after arrival.

Thousands of students and youths took to the streets in Jhapa’s Damak. Police fired rubber bullets and one demonstrator was reportedly shot in the head. His condition is said to be critical. 

Eyewitnesses and protesters recounted chaotic scenes. One young demonstrator said that police “were firing on the people, which is against the essence of a peaceful protest,” alleging officers shot indiscriminately. Video and photos showed protesters running past barbed-wire fences and police firing teargas at them. Protesters said the social media ban was only the flashpoint. “We are protesting against corruption that has been institutionalized in Nepal,” said one protester. 

Government response and crackdown

The government reacted by imposing sweeping security measures. Kathmandu’s District Administration Office declared an emergency curfew from 12:30 pm until 10 pm Monday in the city’s high-security zones. Curfews were extended around the president’s and prime minister’s residences and the Singhadurbar. Outside Kathmandu, local administrators in Rupandehi and Sunsari districts banned gatherings and set curfews in Butwal, Bhairahawa and Itahari.

Security forces under orders clamped down hard. Kathmandu officials said police used water cannons, teargas, batons and rubber bullets, resorting to live ammunition only after protests turned violent. 

Communications Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung (also government spokesperson) blamed “anarchists and reactionary forces” for hijacking the protests. He called the deaths “tragic” but said violence was stoked by anti-government agitators. Gurung defended the social media ban as a matter of “national sovereignty,” noting that major companies like Meta (Facebook/Instagram) had refused to register under Nepal’s rules.

International reaction and human rights concerns

International human rights and press freedom organizations swiftly condemned the crackdown. The Committee to Protect Journalists warned that Nepal’s ban on social media “sets a dangerous precedent for press freedom.” The United Nations and Western governments have so far urged calm, but rights monitors point to troubling trends in Nepal. A CIVICUS report noted in May 2025 that Nepal’s civic space was rated “obstructed,” with arbitrary arrests and excessive use of force against demonstrators documented earlier in the year

Amnesty International in April 2025 warned that authorities had been suppressing dissent, using unlawful force and detaining protesters. Journalists’ groups had already denounced the draft Social Media Act and related press bills as threats to free expression. Hundreds of Nepali journalists had staged a peaceful protest in Kathmandu just on Sunday, denouncing the ban on social media platforms.

Observers note that Nepal’s social-media shutdown, which deactivated Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube and others last week for failing to register locally, is part of a broader push by the Oli administration to regulate online speech. Many commentators compare it to global moves against big tech, but critics fear it is being used to stifle criticism. The Guardian notes that while Nepal’s constitution nominally protects free expression, Oli’s government has been increasingly accused of authoritarian overreach.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed concern over the use of excessive force by security agencies after youth protests against the social media ban and corruption turned violent, resulting in vandalism and arson. In a statement issued on Monday, the commission said a democratic government must recognize and address citizens’ voices on time. While terming the excessive use of force “regrettable,” the NHRC did not make further remarks on the suppression of protests. Instead, it focused on urging the government to immediately provide relief and compensation to the families of those killed.

Amnesty International called for an independent investigation and accountability. “Amnesty International strongly condemns the unlawful use of lethal and less-lethal force by law enforcement in Nepal, resulting in deaths and serious injuries of several protesters. Authorities must exercise maximum restraint and ensure that force is used only when absolutely necessary and proportionate. Every possible precaution must be taken to minimize harm,” Nirajan Thapaliya, director of Amnesty International Nepal, said in a statement.

He added that the government must de-escalate the situation immediately and adopt a rights-respecting approach in policing protests. He emphasized the need for a thorough, independent, and impartial investigation into the deaths, with those responsible held fully accountable, including through criminal prosecution, and full and effective reparations to the victims.

“The protesters have a right to peacefully express their frustration against corruption and restrictions on freedom of expression, including the social media ban. It is the government’s duty to respect these rights and protect protesters from further harm,” Thapaliya said.

Public reaction

The lethal outcome of Monday’s protests has sent shockwaves through Nepali society. Opposition politicians and civil-society leaders have demanded independent inquiries into the use of force. Even within the capital, residents expressed dismay: one Kathmandu resident told reporters the city was in “shock” after seeing the heavy bloodshed.

The main opposition party, CPN (Maoist Center), has demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Oli, accusing the government of committing a “massacre.”  Maoist Center’s Deputy General Secretary and former Home Minister Janardan Sharma also called for Oli’s resignation, writing on Facebook that the government should form a joint political mechanism with representation from the protesters. “The government should resign and create a joint political mechanism that includes the protesters’ representatives,” Sharma wrote. He condemned the suppression of the Gen Z movement, urging the government to seriously address their demands instead of resorting to force.

Warning that further delays would be “suicidal,” Sharma said history has proven time and again that movements cannot be silenced through repression. He urged all political forces to admit their failures and apologize to the people. He also appealed to protesters to remain calm and peaceful in their demonstrations. 

For many youths, the events have only galvanized their resolve. One protest leader, despite witnessing the violence, defiantly said: “We have already won today”, reflecting a sentiment among some that the crackdown revealed the movement’s strength. 

The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has demanded early elections. The party insists that the current government should be dissolved and a fresh mandate sought from the people. RSP’s secretariat meeting concluded that the current government has completely lost its legitimacy. The party has called for Prime Minister Oli’s resignation and the formation of a high-level judicial commission to investigate the incidents. RSP further stated that the current Congress- and UML-led government has failed to address national issues and has lost its credibility, making it necessary to hold fresh elections.

Several opposition parties have suspended normal campaigning and demanded that security forces be held accountable.

The demonstrations have elicited a mixed response from officials and public figures. Some politicians offered guarded support: former UML minister Gokul Baskota tweeted that “once the Gen Z generation takes charge, no one can stop them,” and urged patience with the “inevitable” change they represent. 

Protests sweep major cities

By Monday morning, the unrest had migrated from social feeds to streets. The protesters carry placards with slogans such as “Social media banned, corruption open” and “Let us speak, government”. Students in uniforms and young workers chanting patriotic songs carried the national flag and banners reading “Free voice is our right” and “Stop corruption”. 

Demonstrators insisted they would keep the marches peaceful, even planning to avoid speeches and instead end with singing and dancing, and they explicitly barred political parties and office-seekers from hijacking the event. Kathmandu Mayor Balendra “Balen” Shah publicly supported the protest, writing on Facebook that he “fully support(s)” the demonstrators and urging leaders not to use the rally for their own interests. 

Outside Kathmandu, similar scenes played out. Gen Z activists used TikTok and Viber to coordinate parallel rallies in Pokhara, Biratnagar, Inaruwa, Dharan, Dang and other cities. Media and onlookers noted that the demonstrations drew far larger crowds than any recent youth-led protests in Nepal. One observer called it “one of the most conspicuous political demonstrations in Nepal in recent memory”. 

Protesters held creative online hashtags, notably #NepoKid and #PoliticiansNepoBabyNepal, which trended immediately after the platform’s ban. They chanted and posted memes mocking political elites: for example, a viral TikTok trend juxtaposed images of leaders’ children in luxury against youths’ hardships. Slogans and placards explicitly named corruption, with messages like “Where did the taxes go?”

Tough action and reaction

On Sept 4, the government ordered regulators to shut off “unregistered” social networks, citing a law that platforms must open local liaison offices and register in Nepal. Communications Minister Gurung told reporters that roughly two dozen widely used apps were repeatedly warned to comply with this rule, and those that did not would be blocked immediately.

As a result, popular services went dark overnight on Sept 4-5. Facebook, WhatsApp, Messenger, Instagram, X (formally Twitter), YouTube, Reddit, Snapchat, Pinterest, Signal, among others, were forced offline. A handful of platforms,  notably TikTok, Viber and a few Nepali apps, had already registered and remained accessible. The government defended the shutdown as an effort to make foreign platforms “responsible and accountable,” part of an as-yet-unpassed social media law and court rulings that require registration and tax payment.

The grafted “#NepoBaby”

While the social media shutdown lit the spark, protesters channeled their anger toward broader grievances of graft and inequality. Over recent weeks Nepali social media has been buzzing with the “Nepo Baby” campaign, an expose of the lavish lifestyles of politicians’ children, reflecting deep resentment of nepotism. Countless TikTok and Instagram posts contrasted ordinary youths’ struggles with images of leaders’ kids returning from foreign study trips or sporting luxury brands. A popular online slogan encapsulated the mood: “Leaders’ children come home from abroad with Gucci bags, while the people’s children lie in coffins.”

That videos under hashtags like #PoliticiansNepoBabyNepal directly questioned “whether privilege or personal effort drives politicians’ children’s success”. Protest organizers and attendees cited such inequality as a root cause of their discontent. One university student at the rally said that corruption has “increased,” pointing out that infrastructure projects often take years with no accountability. Another asked why taxes are “not spent for the people’s welfare” but instead used by leaders to travel abroad or enrich themselves.

These complaints tie into broader corruption scandals in Nepali politics. The Gen Z movement has spotlighted, for instance, the family of Nepali Congress leader Sher Bahadur Deuba, including his son Jaiveer Deuba, as emblematic “Nepo Babies” with outsized wealth. Activists also derided other elite figures, from former prime ministers’ kin to wealthy party cadres, for benefiting from public office. Demands at the protests explicitly linked the social media ban to this climate of impunity: writings on placards demanded answers on how leaders “filled their pockets” while ordinary people lack jobs, healthcare and medication. 

In short, the movement transformed the Facebook shutdown into a lightning rod for Nepalis’ long-simmering resentment over nepotism, misuse of public funds and widening inequality.

Historical context

Nepal has a rich history of youth-led political movements, but the current uprising is unusual in its online roots and social-media focus. In 1990 and again in 2006, large mass protests, many led by students and young activists, forced authoritarian and monarchical governments to concede to democracy. The new protests share that anti-corruption spirit but are distinct in being organized almost entirely through digital platforms and taking place in a post-2015 republic. Analysts dub the current wave a “GenZ Revolution,” noting it was “ignited” by the latest ban on social platforms

Underpinning the unrest is longstanding frustration with corruption and economic hardship in Nepal. According to analysts, many young Nepalis feel their generation has been let down by unaccountable leaders. As one commentator put it, Nepal’s youth were already “triggered by the social media ban,” but the ban merely became “the final spark” for latent anger at graft and inequality. Thus far, the GenZ protests have been peaceful by design, buses and supply trucks were sent to aid vulnerable protesters, and organizers emphasized non-violence, until Monday’s outbreak of clashes. The coming days will test whether the movement maintains that discipline or further escalates, and whether the government will relent or hold firm.

Home Minister Lekhak resigns, government forms probe committee 

Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has resigned from his post, taking moral responsibility for Monday’s violent turn of the youth-led GenZ protests. Lekhak tendered his resignation to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli during the Cabinet meeting held on Monday evening. Earlier in a party meeting, he had already indicated that he would not remain in office on moral grounds.

The government has decided to form a high-level probe committee to investigate the incident. A minister confirmed that the Cabinet has given the committee a 15-day deadline to submit its report to the government.

The terms of reference (ToR) for the investigation have been finalized, while the coordinator and members of the committee will be decided in Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Oli, during the cabinet meeting, concluded that the demonstrations had been infiltrated.The prime minister added that the GenZ movement had been misused to incite violence.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has called an emergency Cabinet meeting on Monday.

Two people have been confirmed dead and hundreds were injured during the Gen Z protest today.

Prime Minister Oli called an emergency meeting of the Council of Ministers at 6 pm in Baluwatar today to discuss this issue.

Gen Z youths have taken to the streets against corruption and ban on social media.

They have continued the protest across the country including Kathmandu.