Nepal protests HIGHLIGHTS: PM KP Sharma Oli resigns; parliament set on fire

Nepal Gen Z protest HIGHLIGHTS: Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli stepped down on Tuesday amid violent anti-corruption protests led by Gen Z activists. Catch the latest updates here

Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned from his position on Tuesday as violent anti-corruption protests swept across the nation for the second consecutive day.

 

The mass demonstrations, driven predominantly by young Nepalis, erupted despite a curfew. Protesters took to the streets to express their anger over government corruption, rising unemployment, and the controversial temporary ban on major social media platforms, including Facebook, YouTube, and X, which was later lifted.

 

Students from colleges and schools formed the backbone of the protests, voicing growing frustration about the lack of economic opportunities and endemic corruption in the system.

 

At least 17 people lost their lives in Kathmandu, the capital, while two others died in Itahari, a city in eastern Nepal.

 

The Gen-Z Nepal-led protests escalated as demonstrators attempted to storm the parliament building. Security forces responded by firing live ammunition and deploying tear gas, resulting in indiscriminate firing on the crowd.

 

In the wake of the violence, embassies from Australia, Finland, France, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States jointly condemned the bloodshed, expressing deep sorrow over the unfolding situation in Kathmandu and other regions.

8:03 PM

Nepal Army Chief Ashok Raj Sigdel set to address the nation

Chief of Army Staff Ashok Raj Sigdel is set to address the nation on the latest developments. The Kathmandu Post reported, citing army sources, that preparations for his speech are currently underway.

7:43 PM

Russia closely monitoring situation in Nepal, advises its citizens to observe caution

Russia is closely monitoring the situation in Nepal, its embassy in Kathmandu said as it advised its citizens to observe caution in the wake of massive anti-government protests in the Himalayan nation, according to PTI.

7:21 PM

Nepal Army urges protesters to remain calm and maintain national unity

The Nepal Army urged protesters to remain calm and maintain national unity as it vowed to protect the country’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

 

“We are analysing the latest developments of the Gen Z movement,” the Nepal Army said in a statement.

 

“Nepal Army is always committed to protect the interests and security of Nepalese people, and keeping the latest developments in mind, we express our commitment towards protecting the life and property of the people,” the statement added.

6:39 PM

Former Nepal PM Jhalanath Khanal's wife burnt alive

Fromer Nepal PM Jhalanath Khanal's house set on fire by protesters, his wife dies of burn injuries, according to media reports.

6:27 PM

Nepal President Ram Chandra Paudel has not resigned, says his office

Nepal President Ram Chandra Paudel has not resigned from his position contrary to reports that he quit amid violent protests, his office said in a statement.

5:45 PM

Nepal President Ram Chandra Paudel resigns amid ongoing Gen Z protests

Nepal President Ram Chandra Paudel resigned, just hours after Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli stepped down amid massive protests by the youth of the country over corruption and nepotism.

5:10 PM

MEA issues advisory, cautions Indians against travelling to Nepal

The Ministry of External Affairs issued an advisory in view of the developing situation in Nepal. It said that the Indian citizens are advised to defer travel there until the situation has stabilised. Indian citizens presently in Nepal are advised to shelter in their current places of residence, avoid going out onto the streets and exercise all due caution.

4:54 PM

Who is Sudan Gurung, the man behind massive Gen Z protests in Nepal?

Sudan Gurung leads Hami Nepal, the organisation spearheading the Gen Z protests. According to a report by The Annapurna Express, before establishing the NGO, Gurung worked in event management. He was a DJ and also owned a nightclub called OMG. Read here for more details.

4:35 PM

UN urges peace in Nepal; stresses protection of assembly, free speech

Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, Stephane Dujarric, on Tuesday called for peace in Nepal in the wake of recent protests. "The United Nations is obviously following the situation with a lot of concern. It's critical that the authorities, the government, protect and respect the rights of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. I think security forces, as our High Commissioner for Human Rights said, must comply with the basic principles on the use of force," the statement read.

4:12 PM

PM Modi visits Dharamshala to inspect disaster-affected areas

Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu receives Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his arrival in the state. He visits Dharamshala to inspect the disaster-affected areas.

3:58 PM

Protesters celebrate outside government offices in Kathmandu

Protesters were seen dancing and celebrating outside government offices in Kathmandu. College students formed the backbone of the demonstrations, expressing deep frustration over limited economic opportunities and persistent corruption in the system.

3:52 PM

Indian embassy in Kathmandu issues emergency helpline numbers

The Embassy of India in Kathmandu has issued an important advisory for all Indian nationals currently in Nepal. In view of the ongoing unrest and escalating protests in Nepal, The Embassy of India  urged Indian citizens to take note of the following emergency contact numbers for assistance: 

 

+977 – 980 860 2881

+977 – 981 032 6134

3:47 PM

Nepal protests LIVE: Army evacuates ministers by helicopter as protests intensify

Amid growing unrest in Nepal, the Nepali Army has started evacuating ministers from their residences in Bhaisepati via helicopters as acts of vandalism continue to spread.

3:27 PM

Parliament set ablaze, protesters attack political leaders' homes

According to updates from the local media, the Parliament building has been set ablaze amid the ongoing protests. Demonstrators also attacked the residences of political leaders and offices of major parties using stones and setting fires. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s private residence was among those set on fire by the protesters.

3:21 PM

Kathmandu Airport closed; several Indian flights diverted

Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu was closed, leading to the cancellation and diversion of multiple Indian flights. Several Indian flights were left circling over Nepal as the airport shutdown took effect. Notably, two IndiGo flights -- 6E1153 (Delhi to Kathmandu) and 6E1157 (Mumbai to Kathmandu) -- were held, awaiting clearance.