Nepal Protests Surge Amid Social Media Ban, Prime Minister Resigns Amidst Unrest

Anti-government protests in Nepal have surged, culminating in the dramatic resignation of Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli. Protests ignited by a controversial ban on social media platforms expanded to reflect broader frustrations with pervasive corruption and nepotism. Masses of young people, predominantly from Generation Z, who grew up with technology and are adept at using social media, have defiantly taken to the streets, demanding systemic change.

The demonstrators have breached the federal parliament building in Kathmandu, lighting fires as thick black smoke billows over the city. This unrest, the most severe Nepal has seen in decades, has been marked by violence, with the authorities responding with measures that included a curfew in the capital and other cities. It's reported that security forces have deployed tear gas in efforts to control the crowds, resulting in numerous injuries.

Prime Minister Oli resigned on Tuesday amid the chaos, citing the need to find a constitutional solution to the crisis. His resignation, however, appears to have done little to appease the protestors who are demanding substantial reforms and accountability. Many prominent political figures, including former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, have seen their private properties attacked and set aflame by the demonstrators.

The catalyst for the protests was a government-imposed ban on popular social media platforms such as Facebook and YouTube. The ban, justified by the government as necessary to control fake news and hate speech, was widely criticized as an excuse to stifle dissent. Amid mounting pressure and following deadly clashes, which saw at least 19 deaths earlier this week, the government lifted the ban. However, the flames of dissent had already been fanned, and the call for broader political change continued to echo across the nation.

Local reports suggest that the protests are not strictly leader-driven but rather a spontaneous outpouring of anger and frustration particularly from the youth, who face significant unemployment and dissatisfaction with Nepal's political status quo. Public sentiment has been exacerbated by perceptions of growing inequality, especially highlighted by the opulent lifestyles of the children of the political elite, a stark contrast to the daily realities faced by many Nepalis.

In addition to the resignation of Prime Minister Oli, several ministers, including the Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, have also stepped down in protest of the government's responses. Despite the government's attempts to regain control and restore order, the underlying currents of discontent continue to fuel the demonstrations.

Amid these developments, Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport has been partially closed due to security concerns, disrupting both domestic and international flights. The airspace over the capital has been engulfed in smoke from the ongoing protests, complicating aviation operations.

This wave of protests in Nepal, driven by a generation eager for reform, showcases the deeply rooted issues of corruption and governance that have persisted in the nation's political landscape. The path forward remains uncertain as the government grapples with the formidable challenge of addressing the demands of a disillusioned population while navigating the fragile dynamics of its fractured political system.