Nepal’s Youth Ignite Revolution: Prime Minister Oli Steps Down Following Fatal Anti-Corruption Rallies

Kathmandu, Nepal – A wave of unprecedented youth-led protests has culminated in the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, following days of deadly clashes with police and widespread civil unrest across Nepal. The capital, Kathmandu, witnessed scenes of jubilation mixed with outrage after Oli’s departure, which came amidst a brutal crackdown on demonstrators protesting government corruption, nepotism, and a controversial ban on social media platforms.

The protests, spearheaded by Nepal’s ‘Gen Z’ population, escalated dramatically on Monday when police opened fire on a massive crowd gathered outside the parliament building. The violence resulted in hundreds of injuries and at least 22 confirmed deaths, according to initial reports. Hospitals across central Kathmandu are treating scores of young people, many with gunshot wounds, sustained during the confrontations. “When it comes to the nation, there is no need for motivation. The politicians are just selling our country for their own greed,” an 18-year-old college student, Saurav*, recounted from his hospital bed, describing how a fellow protester was shot dead beside him.

By Tuesday afternoon, the mounting pressure forced Prime Prime Minister Oli to step down, triggering spontaneous celebrations in the streets. However, the initial jubilation was quickly overshadowed by bitter resentment over the loss of life and a night of escalating destruction. Government ministries, including parts of the Singha Durbar complex, were breached and set ablaze, with protesters carrying off office equipment. Other properties, including a luxury hotel and a private school, also fell victim to arson, leading to concerns that the movement was being co-opted by elements bent on violence.

The current unrest is rooted in years of public frustration with a political establishment widely viewed as corrupt and self-serving, with Oli and two other elderly leaders rotating the prime ministerial post for the past decade. While a recent social media ban acted as a flashpoint, the underlying grievances run deep. As of Wednesday morning, Kathmandu remains under a strict curfew enforced by soldiers, with the city’s administrative heart resembling a post-conflict zone of smouldering ruins. The path forward for Nepal’s government remains uncertain, but the youth, like Saurav, remain cautiously optimistic, believing their generation can steer the nation towards a better future.

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