Nepal’s Parliament set ablaze as PM Oli resigns amid deadly protests
New Delhi, Sep 9: Nepal plunged deeper into turmoil on Tuesday as protesters stormed and set fire to the federal parliament building in Kathmandu, hours after Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli resigned in the face of escalating anti-government demonstrations.
Eyewitnesses reported smoke billowing from the parliament complex as crowds of mostly young demonstrators smashed windows, danced and chanted around burning barricades. “All the windows have been shattered, and protesters are dancing and chanting around fires, media persons gave first hand account of the happenings.
The dramatic scenes came after days of unrest led by “Gen Z” activists, who accuse Nepal’s political elite of corruption, nepotism and indifference to public suffering. Anger has also been fuelled by online exposés of the lavish lifestyles of politicians’ children, dubbed “nepo kids” at a time of economic hardship.
The Civil Service Hospital said one more protester died during Tuesday’s clashes, bringing the overall death toll since Monday to 22, including 19 killed in police firing on the first day of unrest. Hospital director Dipak Poudel said to the media 209 people were admitted during the day, with 186 discharged after treatment. At the National Trauma Centre, nearly 40 injured were brought for urgent care.
Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu was shut down entirely as the protests escalated, with security forces struggling to restore order. Demonstrations spread to multiple districts, targeting not only government institutions but also the residences of senior politicians, including Oli, former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, and former home minister Ramesh Lekhak, whose house was torched after his resignation.
In a televised statement announcing his resignation, Oli said he was stepping down to “pave the way for a constitutional solution” but offered little clarity on what might follow. In absence of any leadership, chaos is further going to add the violence. Nepal risks a dangerous power vacuum.
The Nepali Army has urged young protesters to exercise restraint, pledging to safeguard the interests of “Nepal and the Nepali people.” The Army said it was “closely analysing” the situation and would deliver a nationwide address later in the evening. Earlier, President Ram Chandra Poudel also appealed to the demonstrators to communicate and find solutions peacefully.
The unrest began last week after the government banned 26 social media platforms, including Facebook and X, citing the need for regulation. Though the ban was lifted late Monday in a bid to calm tensions, the crackdown had already triggered fury among young Nepalis who saw it as an assault on free speech.
India expressed concern over the developments, with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) describing itself as “deeply saddened by the loss of many young lives.” It urged all sides to exercise restraint and resolve differences through dialogue, while advising Indian citizens in Nepal to remain cautious and follow local advisories.
Oli’s resignation follows a wave of defections from his government, with several ministers quitting in protest at the violent crackdown. But with demonstrators demanding not just his exit but sweeping reforms, including the formation of a national unity government and a clampdown on corruption, the crisis shows little sign of abating.
