Nepal has plunged into a deep political crisis as violent protests erupted against the government’s ban on social media platforms. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned from his post on Tuesday, with reports suggesting that he has sought asylum in Dubai.
The government’s decision to block Facebook, WhatsApp, X, Instagram, and other platforms on security grounds triggered massive public outrage. Allegations of corruption further fueled the anger, with citizens pouring onto the streets in large numbers. The protests soon turned violent, as demonstrators stormed the Parliament building and set it ablaze. Several people have already lost their lives in the clashes.
Bollywood actress Manisha Koirala expressed anguish over the unrest in her home country. Sharing a photo of a blood-stained shoe on Instagram, she called it evidence of the violence, describing the situation as horrifying. In another post written in Nepali, she said it was a dark day for Nepal, where people’s calls for justice and resistance to corruption were met with bullets. Despite the imposition of curfews in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Pokhara, and Butwal, the protests continue, and the atmosphere remains tense even after the Prime Minister’s resignation.