From Warning Signs to Revolution: How Oli’s Errors Fueled Nepal’s Uprising

International News: On Tuesday, violent GEN-G protests in Nepal shook the country. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli suddenly resigned and went to an unknown place. Protesters attacked and set fire to Parliament, Singha Durbar (Government Secretariat), the Supreme Court, and other government buildings. The army was deployed late Tuesday night to control the situation.

Oli's disliked attitude and public anger

Oli, who became prime minister for the fourth time in July 2024, was in power with full force. But his harsh rhetoric and way of suppressing dissent made him increasingly unpopular among the public and the youth. According to senior journalist Yuvraj Ghimire, the anger of the youth increased further when the Oli cabinet banned 26 social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and X. These platforms were the main means for the youth to raise their voice against corruption.

Young protesters on the streets

After this action of the government, the youth, most of whom were under the age of 30, took to the streets. Twenty people, some of them students in school uniforms, were killed in Monday's crackdown, which triggered a series of protests among the public and youth and forced Oli from power.

Revolt within the government

Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned after an emergency meeting on Monday night, but Information Minister and UML leader PS Gurung said there was no question of Oli stepping down. This makes it clear that Oli and his loyalists had no idea of ​​the power of the people's revolution.

Corruption and abuse of power

Oli appointed his loyalist Prem Kumar Rai as the head of the CIAA, using the agency against opponents. Rai's alleged role was revealed in the Bhutanese refugee scam and the purchase of large aircraft. Along with this, Oli made major changes in the administrative system and brought at least 9 investigative agencies under his control.

Army intervention and new situation

The army took control late on Tuesday night. The situation was controlled by occupying the Parliament, Government House, and other buildings. Now Nepal's politics is moving in a new direction, and it has become clear that the public and youth power can have a decisive influence on power.