Nepal's Oli steps down as Gen-Z-led revolt sparks curfew

ISLAMABAD: Nepal enforced a citywide curfew in Kathmandu on Wednesday as soldiers patrolled streets and armored vehicles guarded parliament after protests left at least 22 people dead and more than 600 injured.

Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli stepped down after youth-led protests over a government move to block major social media platforms.

“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 wrote in a letter to President Ramchandra Paudel.

The protests began in early September as a Gen Z-led online campaign targeting the lavish lifestyles of political elites’ children, known as “Nepo Kids.”

This comes amid deep economic challenges in Nepal, with more than 20% of the population in poverty and youth unemployment exceeding 22%, according to the World Bank.

Transparency International ranks Nepal 107 out of 180 in its Corruption Perceptions Index.

The movement spilled into the streets after the government blocked platforms including Facebook, citing the spread of fake news.

Activists accused officials of attempting to silence an anti-corruption campaign, Reuters reported.

Street violence

Crowds of students, some in school uniforms, joined demonstrations that spread across Kathmandu and other cities.

Protesters reportedly entered the parliament complex, set fire to an ambulance and damaged government buildings, including the President’s Office.

A Gen Z protestor spoke to Pakistan TV to explain that they were protesting peacefully.

The protester claimed that “some third party who are politically involved” started “destroying public property”.

They claimed that there is “video footage where you can see people over 40+ age, they were not allowed in the protest.”

Burnt vehicles and smoke filled the streets as authorities deployed water cannons, batons and rubber bullets to contain the crowds.

BBC also reported that amid the turmoil, authorities reported that 900 inmates broke free from two prisons located in Nepal’s western regions.

Army warnings and appeal for calm

The Nepali Army warned on X that groups were committing looting and arson and said it would remain “steadfast” in controlling the situation.

Army Chief Ashok Raj Sigdel appealed to demonstrators to end the violence and join talks.

The Nepali Army issued a statement on X warning of further intervention if violence continues: “Some groups are causing extensive damage, looting, and arson to civilians and public property… all security agencies, including the Nepali Army, will remain steadfast in their primary responsibility to control the situation.”

Airport disruptions

Kathmandu’s international airport was partially closed due to disruptions, the Civil Aviation Authority confirmed, based on local Nepal media outlets.

Voices from the streets

Sandip, a social media influencer who uses one name, said he had made several online appeals, some using virtual private networks to evade the ban, but didn’t expect such a large turnout in Kathmandu..

"Every single citizen of Nepal was done with the corrupt government of Nepal," said the 31-year-old, based in the Lalitpur district near the capital, Reuters reported.

The protests included slogans and banners of “Youth against corruption” and “We pay, you flex”.

Handmade protest placards in English and Nepali lie on the ground in Kathmandu during youth-led demonstrations, Sept. 9, 2025. Photo courtesy of a protester.

Local political opposition