Nepal has been pushed into one of its gravest political crises in recent history as Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned on Tuesday following an unprecedented wave of violent "Gen-Z" protests. The capital Kathmandu, along with several other cities, witnessed arson, vandalism, and brutal street clashes that left the nation in turmoil.
Shocking visuals flooded social media showing angry demonstrators chasing Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel through narrow streets, kicking and punching him as he desperately ran for his life. One video, which has gone viral, depicts Paudel being cornered, kicked to the ground, and thrashed by a massive crowd. Another unverified clip allegedly shows Paudel being stripped to his underwear and dragged on the streets by protesters.
The protests began after the government attempted to ban 26 social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X, a move that further enraged a public already seething over corruption, nepotism, and political mismanagement. Though the ban was quickly revoked, the fury of the youth-led movement had already spiraled into a full-blown revolt.
In an escalation of violence, protesters set fire to PM Oli’s residence in Bhaktapur, torched President Ram Chandra Paudel’s official residence, and even stormed and burned parts of the Parliament building. Vehicles and government offices were left in flames, filling Kathmandu with thick black smoke.
Amid speculation, multiple videos claim PM Oli has fled the country in a helicopter, though there is no official confirmation. Reports also suggest several ministers have either resigned or gone into hiding as the "Gen-Z" uprising continues to gather momentum.
