Parliament Ablaze Amid Nepal Political Turmoil

Nepal has been plunged into a state of severe political crisis as the nation's parliament building was set on fire, just minutes after Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned from his post. The dramatic events unfolded as a wave of anti-corruption protests, spearheaded by a furious youth movement, spiraled into widespread violence and arson across the capital, Kathmandu, and beyond. This unprecedented chaos marks one of the gravest periods of civil unrest for the country since it transitioned to a republic in 2008.
The protests, initially sparked by a government ban on popular social media platforms, quickly evolved into a broader expression of public rage over deep-seated issues of corruption, nepotism, and a lack of economic opportunity. The ban, which the government defended as a measure to combat misinformation, was seen by a largely young, tech-savvy population as an act of authoritarian overreach. The ensuing demonstrations were met with a brutal crackdown by security forces on Monday, which left at least 19 people dead and hundreds injured. The lifting of the ban late that night did little to assuage the growing anger. Instead, the deaths ignited a more fervent and destructive response from the public, turning the protests into a direct demand for the Prime Minister's resignation and accountability for the violence.
On Tuesday, as the protests intensified, Prime Minister Oli, who was serving his fourth term, bowed to the mounting pressure. He announced his resignation, stating that he was stepping down to facilitate a constitutional and political resolution to the crisis. However, his departure, rather than calming the situation, seemed to embolden the protestors. Moments after the news broke, crowds defied an indefinite curfew and stormed key government buildings, including the parliament and the Supreme Court, setting them ablaze. Video footage and eyewitness accounts show jubilant but enraged protestors chanting slogans in front of the burning structures. The chaos extended to the private residences of numerous senior politicians, with the homes of the prime minister, several ministers, and other prominent leaders also being set on fire.
The military has since been called in to maintain order, with army helicopters evacuating ministers from their besieged homes. In a statement, the army pleaded for calm, signaling its readiness to intervene to stop the extensive damage, looting, and arson. The international community has watched the situation with growing concern. The United Nations human rights chief has issued a statement condemning the violence and calling on all parties to de-escalate the crisis through dialogue. This unrest has left a significant question mark over Nepal's political future, as the nation's fragile democratic institutions face one of their most significant tests yet. The youth-led movement, which has been described as a "Gen Z" uprising, has made it clear that they are not only protesting a single issue but are demanding a complete overhaul of a political system they view as corrupt and self-serving. The immediate political vacuum and the widespread destruction now pose a formidable challenge for the country to overcome.
Source@BBC