Key Points:
- Nepal Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak offers resignation accepting moral responsibility for violent crackdown on Gen Z protesters
- Death toll climbs to 20 with over 345 injured as protests spread to multiple cities including Pokhara, Butwal, and Itahari
- Government considers reversing social media ban as Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli faces mounting pressure to resign
- Army deployed and curfews imposed in six cities as protesters storm Parliament complex and set ambulances on fire
- Opposition parties and human rights commission condemn excessive force used against demonstrators protesting corruption
Kathmandup: Nepal’s Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has formally submitted his resignation to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, citing moral responsibility for the deadly crackdown on Gen Z protesters that has left at least 20 people dead and over 345 injured across the country.
Resignation Amid Growing Political Crisis
During a Cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister’s residence in Baluwatar, Lekhak acknowledged the tragic consequences of the government’s response to the nationwide demonstrations. “There was a huge loss of human lives in today’s protest. I have to take moral responsibility for that, and I will not sit in the post on moral grounds,” Lekhak told OnlineKhabar.
The resignation came after Lekhak informed party leaders of his decision during a meeting at President Sher Bahadur Deuba’s residence on Monday evening, as pressure mounted from opposition parties demanding accountability for the violent suppression of protesters.
Escalating Death Toll and Hospital Crisis
According to The Himalayan Times, the death toll has reached 19-20 people, with hospital officials reporting 17 deaths in Kathmandu alone across multiple medical facilities. The National Trauma Centre reported 8 fatalities, while Everest Hospital, Civil Hospital, Kathmandu Medical College, and Tribhuvan Teaching Hospital each recorded additional deaths.
Two additional protesters who were shot during demonstrations in Itahari, Sunsari district, also succumbed to their injuries, bringing the nationwide toll to at least 19-20 people. Hospitals across Nepal are struggling to cope with treating 347 injured protesters, with emergency wards overwhelmed by the influx of casualties.
Government Considers Policy Reversal
Communications Minister and government spokesperson Prithvi Subba Gurung indicated that the administration is reconsidering the controversial social media ban. “The government’s decisions are not more important than the lives of the people. The lives of our people are the most important thing,” Gurung stated.
The minister suggested that if government policies need reconsideration, “there is no point in us remaining steadfast,” signaling potential willingness to reverse the ban on 26 social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X.
Nationwide Curfews and Military Deployment
Authorities have imposed curfews in six major cities across Nepal, including Kathmandu, Birgunj, Bhairahawa, Butwal, Pokhara, Itahari, and Damak, as protests spread beyond the capital. The army has been deployed to maintain order after protesters stormed the Parliament complex, breaking through police barricades and setting fire to an ambulance.[1][3]
Security has been tightened around major political party offices and leader residences, with curfews specifically enforced around the headquarters of the ruling UML and Nepali Congress parties. The Bhairahawa border with India has also been placed under curfew as unrest spreads to the Terai region.
Educational System Disrupted
The crisis has forced authorities to close schools and colleges in multiple cities for the next two days as a precautionary measure. All examinations scheduled for September 9, 10, and 11 at testing centers across the country have been postponed indefinitely.
The educational disruption affects thousands of students preparing for crucial examinations, adding to the broader social and economic impact of the ongoing unrest.
Opposition Demands Prime Minister’s Resignation
Major opposition parties including CPN (Maoist Centre) and CPN (Unified Socialist) have joined calls for Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s resignation amid the crisis. The parties blame the government for mishandling the situation and allowing it to escalate to deadly violence.
The Nepal National Human Rights Commission has condemned the deaths and injuries, criticizing security forces for “excessive use of force” including “air fire, rubber bullets, batons, and water cannons” against protesters.
Government Claims Protest Infiltration
Despite the resignations and policy reconsiderations, Communications Minister Gurung defended the government’s actions, claiming the protests were “hijacked by anarchists and reactionary forces” seeking to destabilize the administration.
Gurung maintained that the social media ban was justified because Meta and other platforms “refused to comply with Nepal’s registration rules,” framing it as a matter of “national sovereignty”.
International and Regional Implications
The United Nations Nepal coordinator has urged all parties to “exercise maximum restraint” as the death toll mounted, highlighting international concern over the government’s response to civilian protests.
The crisis represents the most serious challenge to the KP Sharma Oli government since it took power, with the combination of social media restrictions, corruption allegations, and violent crackdown creating a perfect storm of political instability.
Broader Context of Youth Frustration
The protests reflect deeper frustrations among Nepal’s youth over widespread corruption, economic stagnation, and limited opportunities. The government has faced criticism for failing to deliver on promises to tackle graft and address longstanding economic issues affecting young people.
The “Nepo Baby” movement that preceded these protests had already highlighted growing resentment over elite privilege and inequality, making the social media ban a catalyst for broader anti-government sentiment.
As the political crisis deepens, all eyes are on Prime Minister Oli’s next moves and whether the government will implement significant policy reversals to calm the situation and prevent further bloodshed.
