Nepal in Crisis: Parliament, Supreme Court Set Ablaze as Protests Escalate After PM's Resignation

KATHMANDU — Nepal's political landscape has descended into chaos as widespread anti-government protests culminated in the torching of the Parliament building, the Supreme Court, and the homes of several senior officials on Tuesday. The unrest, which has been spiraling out of control, occurred just minutes after Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned from his post.

Images shared by news agency PTI showed the Supreme Court engulfed in flames, while television channels and on-the-ground reporters confirmed the storming and burning of the Parliament building.

The violence followed a period of intense public anger, with protesters, reportedly led by a "Gen Z" movement, demanding accountability for a deadly crackdown on Monday that left at least 19 people dead. Despite the government's attempt to defuse tensions by revoking a controversial social media ban, the move failed to pacify the crowds, whose anger had morphed into a direct demand for the Prime Minister's resignation.

Hours before he stepped down, Oli's private residence was set ablaze. There are now unconfirmed reports that the former prime minister may be preparing to flee Nepal for Dubai on the pretext of seeking medical treatment.

The demonstrations, fueled by frustration over rampant corruption and a lack of economic opportunities, have spread beyond the capital of Kathmandu. The homes of several other high-ranking officials, including Minister for Communication Prithvi Subba Gurung and Deputy Prime Minister Bishnu Paudel, were also attacked.

In response to the escalating violence, curfews have been imposed in several regions, including Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Birgunj. Protesters, however, have defied these restrictions, clashing with security forces, who have used tear gas to disperse the stone-throwing crowds.

The international community is closely monitoring the situation. India, a close neighbor with a large Nepali migrant population, has urged all parties to "exercise restraint and address any issues through peaceful means and dialogue." In a joint statement, the embassies of several countries, including the US, UK, and Japan, also expressed concern and called for a de-escalation of the violence.

The storming of key government institutions and the Prime Minister's resignation mark one of the most severe political crises Nepal has faced since the abolition of its monarchy in 2008.