Nepal Burns: PM Oli Cornered After Deadly Protests
Student-led protests rock Kathmandu and other cities after social media ban; turmoil mirrors South Asia’s political volatility.
GG News Bureau
Kathmandu, 9th Sep: Nepal was engulfed in massive unrest on Tuesday as thousands took to the streets demanding Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s resignation over corruption charges, a day after violent protests triggered by a controversial social media ban left 19 people dead and over 300 injured.
Hours after the ban on 26 platforms was lifted, students and youth groups gathered outside Parliament, accusing the government of authoritarian overreach and lack of accountability. The situation spiralled when demonstrators breached the complex, prompting police to deploy water cannons, tear gas, and even live rounds.
Protests were reported across major cities including Kathmandu, Pokhara, Butwal, and Bharatpur. The mounting violence forced Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak to resign, intensifying pressure on Oli’s government.
Regional Parallels in South Asia’s Political Landscape
The turmoil in Nepal reflects a wider wave of unrest sweeping South Asia in recent years:
- Bangladesh: In August 2024, mass demonstrations toppled Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, paving the way for Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus to lead an interim government.
- Myanmar: Since the 2021 coup, armed conflict in Chin State has displaced over 65,000 refugees into India, straining Mizoram’s resources and igniting ethnic tensions.
- Afghanistan: Following the 2021 U.S. withdrawal, the Taliban swiftly regained control, though clashes continue with ISIS-K and anti-Taliban insurgents. The defunct Islamic Republic remains the internationally recognised government.
- Sri Lanka: The island nation’s 2022 economic collapse triggered the Aragalaya movement, forcing the Rajapaksa brothers out of power. In 2024, Anura Kumara Dissanayake and his leftist coalition swept to power.
- Maldives: President Mohamed Muizzu’s 2023 victory shifted the country’s foreign policy, straining ties with India amid a tilt toward China.
- Pakistan: Political and economic crises persist after Imran Khan’s 2022 ouster, with militant attacks, separatist violence, and IMF-driven austerity fuelling unrest.
A Fragile Moment for Nepal
Analysts warn that the fresh wave of protests could destabilise Oli’s fragile coalition, which has faced repeated challenges from both opposition parties and civil society. With the death toll mounting and calls for resignation growing louder, Nepal risks plunging into another cycle of political uncertainty, echoing the turbulence gripping many of India’s neighbours.
