Nepal’s Youth Protests Turn Deadly: PM Oli Resigns Amid Violence and Corruption Uproar
Kathmandu, September 9, 2025: What began as a peaceful protest by young people in Nepal has turned into a crisis that has shaken the country. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has resigned, parliament was set on fire, and the main airport in Kathmandu was shut down after demonstrations against corruption and social media restrictions spiraled out of control.
The protests started with cultural events and peaceful gatherings organised by groups like Hami Nepal. Anil Baniya, one of the organisers, said that things went smoothly at first. “We planned a peaceful protest with cultural events and fun. During the first few hours, it went as planned until some external forces and political party cadres joined and agitated the crowd,” he said.
But when protesters began scaling the walls of the parliament complex, security forces opened fire. Baniya strongly criticised the use of bullets, calling it a murder of young people. “No matter what, the government should not have used bullets. They murdered young people,” he said, adding that protests will continue. “We need to topple this government, we demand mass resignation, and we want them out. This is our country.”
The anger stems not just from the social media ban but from deeper frustrations. The ban, which blocked 26 platforms including Facebook and Instagram, was justified by the government as a way to tackle fake news and online fraud. But critics saw it as an attack on free speech and a move to silence dissent. The protests were further fuelled by the “nepo kid” campaign, which exposed corruption and the lavish lifestyles of politicians’ children.
Nepal Parliament gutted in Kathmandu by thousands of youth protestors. pic.twitter.com/MbzMxl4F5i
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) September 9, 2025
Thousands of protesters gathered in Kathmandu holding placards with slogans like “enough is enough” and “end corruption.” Some attacked Prime Minister Oli’s residence with stones, while others set fire to government buildings.
The violence has already claimed at least 19 lives and injured over 100 people. Police tried to control the crowds using water cannons, rubber bullets, and batons. Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned amid growing criticism.
In a statement, PM Oli said he was “deeply saddened” by the loss of lives and blamed vested interest groups for stirring the violence. The government has promised to set up an investigative panel and offer financial relief to affected families, along with free medical treatment for the injured.
Despite the tragedy, protesters remain determined. “We now have more of a duty to live up to the expectations of our friends who were murdered by the state,” Baniya said. The movement continues, with young people calling for an end to corruption and more democratic freedoms.
