Nepal is once again engulfed in a grave political crisis. The situation worsened on Tuesday as student-led Gen Z movements transformed into violent protests across the capital, Kathmandu, and other cities. Parliament buildings, leaders' homes, and government facilities were set ablaze. Consequently, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has resigned.
India has officially expressed its concerns over the matter. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a heartfelt plea for peace via social media platform X (formerly Twitter), urging the people of Nepal to support tranquility. He described the events as deeply painful, particularly as many young lives have been lost. He emphasized the significance of Nepal's stability for India.
PM Modi stated, "After returning from Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, the Cabinet Committee on Security discussed the developments in Nepal. The violence there is heartbreaking. It grieves me deeply to know that many young individuals have lost their lives. Nepal's stability, peace, and prosperity are of utmost importance to us. I earnestly appeal to all brothers and sisters in Nepal to uphold peace."
How the Situation Deteriorated in Nepal
On Monday, protests against the social media ban surprisingly escalated into a large-scale movement led by students, accusing the government and political leaders of corruption and negligence. On Tuesday, protesters set the home of former Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal on fire, critically injuring his wife, Rajlaxmi Chitrakar, who later succumbed to her injuries in the hospital.
The mob also targeted the private residences of KP Sharma Oli, President Ramchandra Paudel, former PMs Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Sher Bahadur Deuba, and various other leaders' properties. Numerous areas in Lalitpur and Kathmandu witnessed road blockades, stone-pelting, and arson as tires were burnt on streets.
Army and Presidential Appeals
President Ramchandra Paudel called upon citizens to maintain peace and urged all parties to collectively find a way out of the dire situation. Similarly, the Nepalese Army and security agencies released a joint statement asserting that dialogue is the only solution and that everyone should exercise restraint.
In his resignation to the President, 73-year-old Oli declared that he is stepping down amidst extraordinary circumstances to pave the way for constitutional and political resolutions. Oli had become the Prime Minister for the fourth time in July 2024 and was slated for an official visit to India shortly.
