Nepal in Turmoil as PM Resigns and Parliament Burns
In Nepal, dramatic and unsettling scenes have unfolded in the capital, Kathmandu. The country’s parliament building was set ablaze after Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned, bowing to growing anti-corruption protests that have swept across the nation. The demonstrations, led largely by young people, began as a response to a controversial social media ban. Although that ban was quickly reversed, frustration over long-standing corruption and political mismanagement had already reached a boiling point.
Inside and around the parliament building, protesters smashed windows, spray-painted anti-government messages, and lit fires. Smoke was seen rising over the Singha Durbar, the vast government complex that houses ministries and parliament. Chanting crowds gathered, waving Nepal’s flag, and dancing around flames. Some carried away furniture, paintings, and even plants from the compound, symbolizing their complete rejection of the political class.
The unrest turned deadly. At least 22 people have now been reported killed during the protests, including 19 who died on Monday alone. Hospitals across Kathmandu treated hundreds of injured, many of whom were discharged but dozens still required care. Security forces used tear gas and force to try to push back the crowds, but their efforts only seemed to fuel public anger.
Also Read:The political vacuum left by Oli’s resignation has deepened the uncertainty. Nepal has seen 14 prime ministers since becoming a republic in 2008, and the constant cycle of political instability has left many citizens disillusioned. This latest eruption of anger reflects years of disappointment in leaders accused of prioritizing power struggles over governance.
President Ram Chandra Poudel appealed to protesters for calm, urging dialogue and peaceful solutions. The Nepalese Army also called for restraint, stating its commitment to protect the nation and its people. Yet, with no clear leadership in place, it is unclear who will step forward to restore order. Some ministers, fearing for their safety, have taken shelter under security protection, while the homes of several political figures were vandalized or set on fire.
Meanwhile, life in Kathmandu has been severely disrupted. Tribhuvan International Airport, the country’s only international gateway, was closed after protesters stormed nearby areas. Foreign visitors described chaotic evacuations from hotels as smoke filled the streets. One witness recounted how protesters even opened gates for trapped guests, apologizing as they urged them to flee—a stark reflection of the tense but complex atmosphere on the ground.
The protests, often called the “nepo kids” movement, are being driven by Nepal’s younger generation. Many of them say they are fed up with corruption and want genuine reform. Some demand accountability for taxes, insisting funds be used for development rather than siphoned off by politicians. Others emphasize that if the country improved, young people would not feel forced to leave for opportunities abroad.
For now, Nepal finds itself at a crossroads. The prime minister has stepped down, parliament has burned, and anger remains raw. Whether calm can be restored or the turmoil will spiral further is uncertain—but what is clear is that the people, especially the youth, are demanding a profound change in how their country is governed.
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