The situation in Nepal is constantly worsening. The protests have taken a violent turn. Incidents of arson, vandalism and stone pelting are being reported in many areas including the capital Kathmandu. The protesters occupied the personal residence of President Ramchandra Paudel, vandalized it and set it on fire.
Earlier, the houses of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s party leader Raghuveer Mahaseth and Maoist president Prachanda were also attacked. Five ministers including Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, Agriculture Minister Ramnath Adhikari, Health Minister have resigned. Amidst the ever-increasing pressure, PM Oli is preparing to go to Dubai for treatment. He has decided to hand over the acting responsibility to the Deputy Prime Minister.
Despite curfew and strict security measures, the scope of protests is increasing, and the political crisis is deepening.
Also read: Tensions Rise at KIIT University After Nepali Student’s Tragic Death
Protesters set fire to Nepal’s Parliament
The protests in Kathmandu have taken a violent turn. The protesters entered the Parliament building and set fire to both the houses. The entire Parliament building is now under the occupation of the protesters.
The series of resignations continues in Nepal
Protests are increasing continuously in Nepal and the pressure on the leaders is increasing. Due to fear of protesters, Chief Minister of Madhes Pradesh Satish Singh has resigned. Apart from this, numerous Chief Minister’s offices in Madhes, Lumbini, Gandaki, and Far West Pradesh are occupied by protesters. Protesters are pelting stones and laying siege in the capital and various states. The political crisis is deepening amidst the ever-increasing violence and instability.
In Nepal, youth took to the streets to protest against the social media ban. The government later withdrew this decision, but anger and discontent still persist among the youth. They are resorting to arson and vandalism here. You can see the current situation in Nepal in the pictures.
Protest at Kathmandu airport and appeal to stop flights
About a dozen helicopters have flown from the ministerial residence in Bhaisepati, south of Kathmandu to Tribhuvan International Airport. Protesters are appealing through social media to stop planes from taking off by using firecrackers and drones near the airport. They are also saying that laser lights should be fired towards the flying planes.
It has become difficult for planes to land at the airport. This includes Himalaya Airlines’ Airbus 319. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli used this plane during his earlier visit to Beijing. IndiGo and Air India flights coming to Kathmandu from Delhi are also waiting to land.
What triggered the protests?
The immediate spark was the government’s decision on September 4 to block 26 social media platforms. These included Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, X, and YouTube. They failed to comply with a deadline to register locally. Additionally, they had to appoint grievance handlers and remove flagged content. The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology issued a public notice. It stated that the Nepal Telecommunication Authority must make all non-registered social media sites inactive until they are registered.
Why are Gen Z protesting beyond the ban?
Beyond the social media ban, the protests also reflected wider grievances among Nepal’s youth. Demonstrators highlighted corruption cases involving senior politicians. They mentioned a 2017 Airbus purchase deal that led to losses for the state airline. Subsequent convictions followed investigations by the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA).
Reports from the protests also highlighted several concerns. There are limited employment opportunities. There is economic dependence on remittances. Additionally, perceptions of inequality have fuelled dissatisfaction among younger Nepalis.
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