• Source:JND
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KP Sharma Oli resignation: Nepal's Prime Minister, Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli, has stepped down today after country-wide protests turned violent, claiming a minimum of 19 lives and more than 100 people were injured. The protests were initiated by a ban on social networking sites imposed by the government and charges of corruption against the Oli government. The move is one of the major political changes in Nepal, reflecting increased dissatisfaction among youths and greater demands for accountability and transparency in the government.

The demonstrations started after the government suspended 26 social media websites, including Facebook and Instagram, on charges of not registering themselves with the authorities. The suspension resulted in huge protests, spearheaded largely by Gen Z activists, which ended in police brutality that took 19 lives and injured hundreds. The government was compelled to reverse the suspension after an emergency cabinet meeting. The protests grew more fervent with demonstrators invading and burning the private homes of Prime Minister Oli, Minister for Communication Prithvi Subba Gurung, and other political figures. The violence prompted several ministers to resign, including the Home Minister and Agriculture Minister, who accused the government of brutal repression. In a rare move, Nepal’s Army Chief, General Ashok Raj Sigdel, publicly called for Prime Minister Oli’s resignation, further escalating the political crisis.

Oli’s Political Legacy

Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli, or KP Sharma Oli for short, has a long and tumultuous political career. Born on February 22, 1952, in the Terhathum District, Oli became a professional political worker in 1970 and was a member of the Communist Party of Nepal (CPN). Oli was imprisoned in 1973 and remained in prison for 14 consecutive years, four of them in solitary confinement.

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Oli served as Nepal’s Prime Minister four times, from February 2018 to July 2021, and yet again from July 2024 until today, when he resigned. His regime was characterized by an aggressive nationalist line, such as the hard-line approach to Nepal's border conflict with India and attempts at boosting relations with China. He also gave importance to infrastructure development and social security programs.

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Following Oli’s resignation, the political landscape in Nepal remains uncertain. The government has announced plans to form an investigation panel to examine the causes of the protests and recommend preventive measures. However, the deep-rooted issues of corruption and youth disillusionment persist, posing challenges for any future administration. As Nepal navigates this political crisis, the events underscore the growing influence of the youth in shaping the nation’s democratic processes and the need for greater government accountability.