Violent anti-government protests led by students continued across Nepal for a second consecutive day on Tuesday, defying restrictions on public gatherings. Demonstrators under the banner of Gen Z demanded the resignation of Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli, torching and vandalising the residences of several senior political leaders.

Protesters set fire to Oli’s private residence in Balkot, Bhaktapur, though he remains at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar. Homes of former prime ministers Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ and Sher Bahadur Deuba, as well as former home minister Ramesh Lekhak and Communications Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung, were also attacked. Tyres were burnt to block roads in Kathmandu’s Kalanki area, while stone-pelting and clashes were reported from Lalitpur.

At least four people were injured on Tuesday as police opened fire, following Monday’s crackdown that left 19 people, including a 12-year-old student, dead and more than 300 injured.

The protests erupted after the government banned 26 social media platforms, including Facebook and X, for failing to register locally. Although access was restored late on Monday in an apparent attempt to calm tensions, demonstrations escalated, with activists accusing the government of stifling free speech and shielding corruption.

The Gen Z movement, which has been exposing the lavish lifestyles of politicians’ families online, is pressing for Oli’s resignation, the formation of a national government, a retirement age for office-holders, and tougher anti-corruption measures.

Political pressure is mounting on Oli. Nepali Congress general secretary Gagan Thapa called for his resignation, while senior leaders Bimalendra Nidhi and Arjun Narsingh Kesi urged their party to withdraw from government and push for a national unity administration. Two Congress ministers—Agriculture Minister Ramnath Adhikari and Health Minister Pradip Poudel—have already resigned in protest against the government’s heavy-handed response.

With public anger rising and calls for reform intensifying, Nepal faces one of its most serious political crises in recent years.

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