Nepalese protesters took dramatic steps after Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli announced his resignation, torching its parliament building. The act signified an increasingly bitter civil unrest between youth-led movement and entrenched political elites in Nepal. To see more about what unfolded click here for The Economic Times and Wikipedia for How It Unfolded.
- Trigger of Protests mes The crisis began on September 4, when the government issued an unprecedented blanket ban of 26 social media platforms including Facebook, X, YouTube and Reddit in Iran in response to new local registration requirements. This sudden restriction outraged digitally connected youth who saw this sudden restriction as censorship or corruption-coverage; nationwide protests ensued immediately thereafter. For more details see Wikipedia.
- Escalation and Casualties
Tensions increased rapidly as protests intensified. Clashes with security forces resulted in at least 19 deaths and hundreds injured according to official records, as protesters decried not only social media crackdown but also widespread political corruption and misuse of power. ReutersWikipedia - PM Oli’s Resignation
Under mounting pressure and widespread violence, Prime Minister Oli made his resignation official on September 9. Although social media ban was lifted temporarily, it did little to assuage public outrage. (Reuters; Washington Post and Wikipedia). - Parliament Set Ablaze
Only hours after his resignation, protestors stormed the Singha Durbar complex and set portions on fire, incinerating not only parliament but also several key government institutions as well. The Economic Times or Wikipedia gave more detail. - Broader Targets and Chaos
Arson and vandalism spread to additional significant targets, as protesters attacked the Supreme Court building, residences of high officials (including those belonging to PM and President) as well as major political party headquarters. Eventually military forces intervened at Kathmandu airport in order to prevent fleeing leaders escaping into exile from Nepal. (For details see Wikipedia The Economic Times Figures and Fallout).
Deaths: 19 people killed, mostly young protestors.
Reuters Wikipedia Injuries: Over 300 officially injured; with unofficial estimates being even higher. Historically, 19 died and 300 or so injured (official estimates only). W. W. Wiki
Damage: Destruction to Singha Durbar, the Supreme Court and high-profile residences.
Political Fallout: Prime Minister Resigned; 21 MPs from Rastriya Swatantra Party Refused to Sit for Votes Demand New Elections [sources: IndiaTimes and Wikipedia].
What It All Means This crisis illustrates Nepal’s youth–primarily Generation Z–and their rejection of authoritarianism and corruption, particularly via social media censorship ban protests which quickly turned into widespread revolt against systemic misgovernance. When an online petition to lift such ban was denied by authorities in Nepal’s central government in mid-2018, their protest movement quickly expanded into widespread revolt against systemic misgovernance triggered by systemic misgovernance and systemic misgovernance which quickly turned violent with hundreds joining protesting movements across country lines with one of their voices being heard loudest: by The Wall Street Journal
On an international front, countries including the U.S. and U.K. have voiced concerns over Nepal’s deadly crackdown. Domestically, demands for independent investigations and political reform have grown rapidly; as the government remains disorganized and institutions weaken further; Nepal stands at an important crossroads on its democratic journey.