Former Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli has denied allegations that police used automatic weapons during the Gen-Z protests that erupted across Nepal on September 8, leaving at least 72 people dead. In his first detailed statement since stepping down a day after the violence, Oli said that the weapons responsible for the deaths were not in police possession and demanded an investigation.
Nineteen people were confirmed killed on the first day of the protests, which quickly spiralled into widespread clashes, arson, and attacks on public institutions. Nepal Police reported that many fatalities occurred after a supermarket in Kathmandu was set ablaze by protestors, while other incidents included attacks on key government buildings and private residences of political leaders.
Oli alleged that the violence was orchestrated by conspirators who infiltrated the protests. “Never in past movements have so many lives been lost in a single day,” he said, suggesting that the unrest had been hijacked to destabilise the state. He also pointed to targeted arson at Singh Durbar, the central administrative complex, the Supreme Court, and the houses of senior political figures, including his own residence in Balkot, which was severely damaged.
Following these attacks, Oli was placed under the protection of the Nepal Army before moving to a rented accommodation outside Kathmandu. His resignation came amid mounting criticism over governance failures and corruption scandals during his tenure.
The protests, led by Nepal’s youth under the Gen-Z banner, have become one of the most violent political movements in the country’s recent history. The demand for accountability, transparency, and systemic reforms has shaken Nepal’s political establishment, forcing Oli’s exit and paving the way for an interim administration.
A caretaker government under former Chief Justice Sushila Karki has now taken charge, tasked with restoring order and preparing for parliamentary elections scheduled for March 5. The new government has promised neutrality and pledged to oversee polls within six months.
For India, which shares deep cultural, historical, and economic ties with Nepal, the developments carry significant implications. Political volatility in Kathmandu often spills over into bilateral dynamics, including cross-border trade, migration, and security cooperation. Analysts in New Delhi are watching closely, particularly given the strategic importance of Nepal in the Himalayan region, where India and China are competing for influence.
Oli’s tenure was marked by fluctuating relations with India. While he at times projected closeness to Beijing, public pressure and economic realities ensured continued dependence on India for trade and infrastructure links. The current unrest highlights the fragility of Nepal’s political order and the urgent need for stability ahead of the 2025 elections.
The Gen-Z protests, described by observers as a generational revolt, may also resonate in India, where youth-driven digital activism is shaping political narratives. Though the contexts differ, the unrest in Nepal serves as a reminder of the growing impatience of younger populations in South Asia with corruption, governance failures, and entrenched political elites.
With Oli now out of power and Nepal entering a transitional phase, the coming months will determine whether the Himalayan nation can stabilise through democratic means or whether deeper unrest lies ahead. For India, the stakes are high in ensuring that its closest neighbour regains stability without drifting into prolonged turmoil.
