• Source:JND
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Nepal Gen Z Protest: Nepal plunged into fresh political turmoil on Tuesday as Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, 73, resigned following days of violent nationwide protests against ban on social media,  corruption and unemployment. The resignation, however, failed to calm public anger, with protesters setting fire to parliament and several government buildings in Kathmandu and other cities.

The Himalayan nation, wedged between India and China, has struggled with political instability for decades. Since becoming a federal democratic republic in 2008, Nepal has seen 14 governments, none of which has completed a full five-year term.

A Turbulent Political History

• 1951: Before 1951, Nepal was ruled by hereditary prime ministers from the Rana dynasty. That year, pro-democracy movements ended Rana rule and introduced parliamentary democracy.

• 1961-1990: In 1961, King Mahendra dissolved parliament and banned political parties, imposing the “Panchayat” system, a centralised, party-less governance model. The arrangement lasted nearly three decades, until the “People’s Movement” of 1990 restored multi-party democracy under King Birendra.

• 1996: Nepal’s most violent chapter began in 1996 when Maoist rebels launched a decade-long armed struggle against the monarchy. The insurgency claimed more than 17,000 lives and destabilised the state.

• 2006-2015: Mounting pressure from civilians and political parties culminated in 2006 protests that forced King Gyanendra to relinquish absolute power. Two years later, in 2008, Nepal abolished the monarchy and declared itself a federal democratic republic.

In 2015, Nepal adopted a new constitution aimed at ensuring stability. Yet the promise of political continuity has remained elusive. Frequent changes in government have left institutions weak, while corruption scandals and unemployment continue to fuel public discontent.

• 2015-Present: KP Sharma Oli, a key figure in Nepali politics, first became prime minister in October 2015, though his tenure lasted just a year. He returned to power in 2018 and 2021, before securing a fourth term in 2024. His resignation on Tuesday marks the latest episode in Nepal’s cycle of unstable governance.

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The latest wave of gen z protests, largely led by young Nepalis frustrated with corruption and lack of jobs, escalated into violence earlier this week. Demonstrators torched government buildings, clashed with security forces, and demanded sweeping political reforms. “The resignation of Oli is not enough. We need leaders who deliver, not just change of faces,” said a protester outside the parliament building in Kathmandu.

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With Oli’s exit, Nepal faces the challenge of appointing yet another government in hopes of restoring calm. But with no administration since 2008 able to last a full term, questions remain over whether the cycle of instability can finally be broken.