Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has resigned following significant public unrest tied to police violence against anti-corruption protesters, resulting in 21 deaths. His resignation aims to facilitate a constitutional response to ongoing protests led by the youth, sparked by the government’s recent ban on several social media platforms, which has since been retracted.
The protests, primarily in Kathmandu, have escalated to violent confrontations, injuring nearly 200 individuals, with police employing tear gas and live ammunition against demonstrators who attempted to breach parliamentary premises. Ongoing disturbances saw protesters setting fire to the headquarters of the Nepali Congress Party and vandalizing the homes of various political figures.
The unrest was initiated by the government’s decision to block 26 social media sites, including popular platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook, citing non-compliance with registration requirements. Activists argued the ban was an attempt to suppress dissent amidst allegations of widespread corruption among officials. Although the government reversed the ban, demonstrators continue to voice discontent regarding deeper systemic issues.
Led predominantly by young people, many identifying as Gen Z, the protests lack formal leadership but are fueled by social media organizing. Students from various academic institutions and even schoolchildren have participated, highlighting widespread dissatisfaction with perceived corruption.
The movement has gained momentum with demands focused on abolishing the social media ban and addressing corruption. Frustration over the disconnection between political promises and reality has been voiced by protesters, who seek accountability from their leaders.
The term “#NepoKids” has emerged in protest dialogue, reflecting frustrations over elites benefiting from public resources while ordinary citizens struggle. As the protests continue defying government restrictions, there are concerns about their escalation if the government does not engage in meaningful discussions with the protesters.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crkj0lzlr3ro?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss