Nepal's Youth Uprising: Protests Erupt as Calls for Prime Minister's Resignation Intensify
Kathmandu: Student-led protests against the government in Nepal have intensified for a second consecutive day, with demonstrators defying restrictions on public gatherings. They are demanding the resignation of Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli and have vandalized the homes of various political figures.
The protesters, identifying themselves as Gen Z, chanted slogans like "KP Chor, Desh Chhod" (KP thief, leave the country) and "Take Action Against Corrupt Leaders" across multiple locations in the capital.
In a significant act of defiance, they set fire to Prime Minister Oli's residence in Balkot, while he was at his official residence in Balwatar.
The residence of former home minister Ramesh Lekhak was also targeted, just a day after his resignation followed police violence against protesters opposing a government ban on social media, which resulted in 19 fatalities and over 300 injuries.
Demonstrations were reported in various areas including Kalanki, Kalimati, and Baneshwor in Kathmandu, as well as parts of Lalitpur district. Many of the protesters were students chanting, "Don’t kill students," in violation of public gathering restrictions.
Eyewitnesses reported that demonstrators in Kalanki burned tires to obstruct roads early in the morning.
Media sources indicated that four individuals sustained injuries when police opened fire on the crowd.
The protesters also targeted the home of Communication Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung in Sunakothi, who had imposed the social media ban.
Additionally, they vandalized the residences of former Prime Ministers Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' and Sher Bahadur Deuba.
The Gen Z group has been actively campaigning against corruption, utilizing platforms like Reddit and Instagram to highlight the lavish lifestyles of ministers' children, questioning the origins of their wealth, which they allege is linked to corrupt practices.
They argue that the social media ban was an attempt to stifle free speech.
The government had previously banned 26 social media platforms, including Facebook and 'X', for not registering with authorities.
However, in a late-night announcement, the government restored access to these platforms in an effort to quell public discontent.
The protesters are primarily demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Oli, the establishment of a national government, and stringent measures against corrupt officials.
Social media has been flooded with calls for Oli's resignation and the formation of a new government.
Other demands include guaranteed freedom of expression and the introduction of a retirement age for political officeholders, as stated by Gen Z activists.
In response, Nepali Congress general secretary Gagan Thapa has urged PM Oli to resign immediately, taking accountability for the current turmoil.
Thapa expressed on social media that the situation necessitates Oli's resignation.
Senior leaders from the Nepali Congress, Bimalendra Nidhi and Arjun Narsingh Kesi, have proposed that the party withdraw its ministers from the Oli-led government, form a new government, and engage in dialogue with the protesting Gen Z group.
Nidhi emphasized that as the largest party in Parliament, the Nepali Congress must protect democracy and the Constitution during these tumultuous times.
He suggested that the party should cease its support for the Oli-led government and initiate the formation of a national government.
Kesi echoed this sentiment, advocating for the withdrawal from the government and the establishment of an all-party administration.
He also called for the creation of a robust anti-corruption body to investigate the assets of those in power and take decisive action, alongside engaging with the Gen Z group.
In the meantime, two Nepali Congress ministers, Agriculture Minister Ramnath Adhikari and Health and Population Minister Pradip Poudel, have resigned, citing the government's harsh response to the protests.
Despite this, some ministers remain in the Oli administration.
The violent crackdown on protests resulted in the deaths of 19 individuals, including a 12-year-old student, and left over 300 injured as police resorted to firing, baton charges, and tear gas to disperse demonstrators opposing rampant corruption.