5 reasons why 'pro-China' KP Oli was forced to quit as Nepal PM

Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli (Image: Reuters)

Amid violent anti-government protests across the country led by students, Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Tuesday tendered his resignation.

The protests, which began on Monday with calls for the government to lift a ban on social media and tackle corruption, reignited on Tuesday even after the order was revoked.

At least 21 people have died and hundreds injured in the violent clashes with law enforcement authorities.

On Tuesday, the demonstrators vandalised the private residences of Nepal’s President Ram Chandra Poudel and KP Sharma Oli. The Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) has been fully closed following escalating demonstrations, according to a report by The Himalayan Times.

5 reasons for the massive protests in Nepal:

Corruption and nepotism

The immediate spark was the government’s decision on September 4 to block 26 social media platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, citing their failure to register with the country’s Ministry of Communication and Information Technology before the deadline, according to a report by The Kathmandu Post. About 90% of Nepal's 30 million people use the internet.

However, within days, hashtags such as #NepoKids, #NepoBaby and #PoliticiansNepoBabyNepal began trending online aimed at criticising perceived privilege within the political establishment.

The protesters, largely young people, are venting their frustration at the children of political elites who flaunt wealth and privilege while ordinary citizens struggle with unemployment and daily hardships.

They also highlighted corruption cases involving senior political leaders, including a 2017 Airbus purchase deal that led to losses for the state airline and subsequent convictions following investigations by the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), according to a report by The Hindu.

“All the Nepali citizens are fed up (with) corruption. Every youth (is) going outside the country. So, we want to protect our youth and make the country’s economy better,” a protester told news agency Reuters.

Suppression of free expression

Several social media sites – from Facebook to YouTube, Instagram and X -- were blocked on Friday in the Himalayan nation, after the government blocked 26 unregistered platforms.

The ban sparked widespread anger, especially among the younger generation who rely heavily on the apps for communication. However, the decision was revoked in view of the protests.

Economic hardship and unemployment

Dissatisfaction has grown with political instability, corruption, and slow economic development in the Himalayan nation.

People aged 15-40 make up nearly 43 per cent of the population, according to government statistics -- while unemployment hovers around 10 percent and GDP per capita is just $1,447, according to the World Bank.

Moreover, the country’s economy is heavily reliant on funds sent home by Nepalis who live abroad. More than a third (33.1%) of Nepal’s GDP came from personal remittances, according to the World Bank, a number that has steadily risen over the past three decades.

“The protests are fuelled by the frustration of youth and their disbelief in authority, as they feel sidelined from decision-making,” Yog Raj Lamichhane, an assistant professor at the School of Business in Nepal’s Pokhara University, told Al Jazeera.

Political turbulence

Nepal, which scrapped its 239-year-old monarchy in 2008 at the end of a bloody civil war to become a republic, has since struggled with instability, going through over a dozen governments.

There have been 14 governments since 2008, not one of which has completed a full five-year term.

A number of people think corruption is rampant, and the Oli government has been criticised on a number of occasions for failing to deliver on its promises to tackle graft or make progress to address longstanding economic issues.

Police violence and government response

Nepal witnessed one of its darkest days on Monday when security forces opened fire on young protesters, killing at least 19.

Most victims -- school and college students -- were shot in the head or chest. The demonstrations, driven by Gen Z’s frustration with societal inequalities, were sanctioned and should have been managed peacefully.

Instead, the Oli government resorted to deadly force, exposing its failure to handle dissent. Police opened fire on protesters demonstrating against the ban on social media platforms, according to state TV.

Oli's stance with India

Since assuming office in July 2024, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli -- a seasoned Communist leader perceived as pro-China -- has not visited India even once in over a year. Reports suggested he was likely to visit India on September 16.

A report by The Kathmandu Post earlier said that Oli could not help but display anti-Indian tendencies over sensitive diplomatic issues. Anti-Indian and anti-West sentiments appear to have become a core part of Oli and his party, CPN-UML’s political identity, the report mentioned.

For instance, when India and China agreed to open up the Lipulekh pass for trading, Nepal could have opted to protest quietly by pursuing diplomatic channels. Instead, the issue was politicised publicly by Oli’s confidantes, which reflected the aggressive discourse Oli set five years ago. Not satisfied, Oli also raised the issue with Chinese President Xi Jinping, who said the dispute was a “bilateral” issue between Nepal and India, the report added.

(With agencies inputs)