Nepal’s Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned Tuesday after days of mass protests led by the country’s young generation against a government ban on social media platforms, which spiraled into a political crisis. Balendra Shah, Kathmandu mayor who might become Nepal’s next PM, sources said.
The demonstrations, largely driven by members of Gen Z, erupted Monday in Kathmandu and quickly spread to cities including Lalitpur and Bhaktapur. Protesters accused the government of stifling free expression and targeting livelihoods after authorities restricted access to 26 platforms — including Facebook, YouTube and X — last Friday.
For many young Nepalis, the platforms are more than spaces for entertainment and communication; they provide critical income streams through digital work, content creation and online businesses. Protesters argued the government’s move was an authoritarian overreach, intended to mask its failure to curb corruption.
By Tuesday, the unrest had escalated. Thousands of young demonstrators poured into the streets, clashing with security forces. Despite a curfew order in several districts, protesters managed to break through barricades and storm the presidential residence in Kathmandu.
As tensions rose, Army Chief Gen. Ashok Raj Sigdel reportedly conveyed to Oli that the military could no longer support his administration. With the army withdrawing its backing, Oli had little choice but to tender his resignation.
Oli, 72, had served multiple terms as prime minister and was among Nepal’s most influential political figures of the past decade. His departure marks one of the most dramatic political upheavals in Nepal in recent years.
Emerging as a key figure in the aftermath is Kathmandu’s mayor, Balendra Shah, a 33-year-old independent politician who has gained widespread popularity among Nepal’s urban youth. Local media reported Shah’s name has surfaced as a possible successor to Oli, though no formal announcement has been made.
The protests reflect broader frustrations among Nepal’s young population, who account for nearly half of the country’s 30 million citizens. Many see limited economic opportunities at home and rely heavily on digital platforms for both expression and income.
As Oli’s resignation was confirmed, crowds in Kathmandu celebrated, waving flags and chanting slogans against corruption and censorship. But uncertainty looms over Nepal’s political future, with protesters vowing to remain on the streets until their demands for free access to digital platforms are met.
The government has not yet announced whether the ban on social media platforms will be lifted.
