Nepal’s fourth premiership of K. P. Sharma Oli abruptly ended on September 9, 2025, when he resigned amid a wave of youth-led anti-corruption protests triggered by a sweeping social media ban. While the ban set off immediate unrest, deeper systemic issues ultimately sealed his fate. Here are seven key reasons unraveling his dramatic political downfall:
1. Flashpoint: Social Media Ban Sparks Gen Z Uprising
On September 4, Oli’s government ordered the suspension of 26 popular social platforms—including Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube—for non-compliance with registration rules. With about 90% of Nepal’s 30 million internet users cut off, especially younger demographics, it fueled a fierce backlash. Gen Z quickly mobilized, turning digital frustration into mass protests.
2. Youth-Led Anti-Corruption Movement
Protests weren’t just about blocked apps—they tapped into longstanding anger over corruption, nepotism, and economic inequality. Hashtags like #NepoKids spotlighted elite privileges, resonating fiercely with young Nepalese.
3. 19 Lives Lost in Violent Clashes — Crisis Unfolds
Police deployed tear gas, rubber bullets, and live ammunition, leading to the tragic deaths of 19 protesters, with hundreds injured. These deaths became a rallying point—turning unrest into a full-blown political crisis.
4. Selective Ban Sparks Political Suspicion
Interestingly, TikTok—owned by China’s ByteDance—remained functional. Critics construed this as favoritism tied to Oli’s “pro-China” leanings, adding a layer of mistrust and deepening the legitimacy crisis.
5. Political Faultlines & Corruption Allegations
Oli’s leadership was already weighed down by controversy. Accusations of nepotism, misuse of funds, and domineering, authoritarian governance weren’t new—but the protests made these issues more visible and intractable.
6. Mass Vandalism & Institutional Collapse
Protesters stormed and torched key institutions, including parliament, Singha Durbar, and high-ranking officials’ homes. With Kathmandu airport shutdown and massive unrest across cities, state authority had all but collapsed.
7. Demands for Accountability Unable to Be Ignored
As chaos gripped the nation, calls mounted for resignations. Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak and other officials stepped down citing moral responsibility. Oli himself, facing impossible pressure, resigned citing the urgent need to restore constitutional order.
What Next for Nepal?
Oli’s departure paves the way for a new political direction. The National Army and President have called for calm, and Prime Minister Balendra Shah—an anti-corruption, youth-backed leader—quickly emerged as a potential successor. With political instability ongoing, Nepal stands at a crossroads.
This upheaval marks not just the fall of a leader, but a broader generational shift—and a watershed moment in Nepal’s fragile democracy.