In recent days, neighboring country Nepal has seen nationwide protests leading to the resignation of the Communist Party Prime Minister, with the military now deployed in the capital to maintain order. Experts point out that while the protests were sparked by a government ban on social media platforms, the underlying cause lies in deep-seated public dissatisfaction with government corruption and economic hardships. This crisis has exposed the internal contradictions of the Communist Party governing system, demonstrating that “even the strictest controls cannot suppress the eruption of the populace at a tipping point.”
The protests originated from the government’s announcement in early September to ban 26 social media platforms including Facebook, X, and YouTube, citing their failure to register locally and accept government regulation.
The government’s social media ban provoked strong discontent among the youth, leading to massive protests on September 8, met with crackdowns by security forces resulting in numerous casualties. Subsequently, enraged protesters occupied government buildings, parliament, and the residences of Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli and several high officials, setting fire to several structures including the Supreme Court, ministerial residences, among other government buildings destroyed during the protests.
Following this, the Nepalese government revoked the social media ban, but the public’s anger did not subside. The dissatisfaction has shifted from the social media ban to widespread accusations of political elite corruption, with protesters chanting slogans like “Fight corruption, not social media” and “Youth against corruption.”
As the protests escalated, on September 9, Prime Minister and Nepalese Communist Party Chairman Oli announced his resignation, accompanied by several key ministers, leading to the collapse of Oli’s government.
Faced with the escalating situation, the Nepalese military moved into the streets of the capital Kathmandu on Wednesday (September 10), imposing strict curfew measures with armored vehicles patrolling the streets and citizens instructed to stay indoors. The main airport in Kathmandu was closed until Wednesday afternoon, severely disrupting flights.
The military announced that the curfew would continue until Thursday morning (September 11) as relevant parties are coordinating to address the complex situation following the protests.
Local media reported that authorities are preparing to engage in dialogue with the protesters. Former Supreme Court Judge Balaram K.C. urged the protesters to form a negotiation group, assisted by the military to maintain law and order, and called for new elections. This constitutional expert stated, “The parliament should be dissolved and new elections held, and all parties should discuss the specific arrangements for forming the next caretaker government.”
Amid the rapid changes in the Nepalese political situation, Beijing lawyer Chen Hua stated during an interview with Epoch Times, “In countries controlled by the Communist Party, it is generally difficult to expect a peaceful transition of power and reform. Once these Communist Parties control power and monopolize resources, accumulated public grievances due to past behaviors lead to a lack of confidence in giving up power, resulting in tighter control measures being taken.”
“We can see that no matter how tightly rulers control, angry people will eventually reach a critical point and suddenly spark a crisis. The downfall of the Nepalese Communist Party occurred within 24 hours, indicating that no matter how sophisticated the control system is, collapse is inevitable,” he continued.
Lawyer Li Ming from Guangzhou provided a cultural analysis, stating, “The policy system of the Nepalese government is fundamentally anti-traditional in society. In a society deeply rooted in Buddhist tradition, communist policy culture inherently deviates fundamentally from societal tradition and public cognizance.”
He told reporters, “This (Communist Party) authoritarian system is anti-human and anti-humanity in nature, along with the discordance with traditional culture, making its downfall historically inevitable.”
Nepal abolished its monarchy in 2008, transitioning into a federal republic with Maoist Communists entering the government. Since then, the Nepalese government has been unstable. The recently ousted Prime Minister Oli, considered the founder of the Nepalese Communist Party (Unified Marxist-Leninist), first became Prime Minister in 2015, re-elected in 2018, and briefly re-elected in 2021 in the Nepalese parliament.
Under the Oli-led government, Nepal saw a surge in youth unemployment, with the younger generation facing a lack of job opportunities. The latest official estimates indicate a youth unemployment rate as high as 22%. The scarcity of job opportunities has forced millions to seek employment abroad in countries like Malaysia, the Middle East, and South Korea, with over 2000 young people leaving daily for the Middle East or Southeast Asia in search of work.
Many of the participants in the protests were young people born between 1995 and 2010. They are deeply disappointed in the government’s failure to effectively combat corruption and improve the economic situation. Despite frequent instances of official corruption, few individuals are genuinely held accountable by the judiciary.
Many young people are indignant at the luxurious lifestyle and privileges enjoyed by the children of political figures while ordinary youths struggle to find work to sustain a living. In the weeks leading up to the ban, a movement called “Nepo Baby” emerged on social media to expose the lavish lifestyles of politicians’ children allegedly involved in nepotism.
The Oli government in Nepal maintained close relations with the Chinese Communist Party, advocating for deepening ties with Beijing and actively promoting cooperation under China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Just days before the outbreak of protests, Oli attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Tianjin and the Beijing military parade. During his meeting with Xi Jinping, the Chinese President emphasized advancing the Belt and Road construction together.
The flagship project of China’s Belt and Road initiative in Nepal is the Pokhara Airport project. The corruption issues surrounding this project serve as one of the focal points of anger for the youth during the protests. Protesters have condemned the Nepalese government for mismanaging the country for decades, particularly highlighting the multi-million dollar corruption cases involved in the construction of the Pokhara International Airport.
Former Nepalese Ambassador to India Vijay Kant Karna stated, “Since the beginning, the Pokhara International Airport has faced criticism, with people criticizing Nepalese political elites, especially left-wing individuals, for their corrupt relations with Chinese construction companies.”
The Pokhara Airport project received a $216 million loan from the China Import-Export Bank, with Chinese enterprises handling the construction, facing delays in completion. Reports of substandard quality and significant cost overruns emerged during its construction, leading to accusations of corruption. In April 2025, a Nepalese Parliament investigation report revealed that the Pokhara Airport did not meet standards, involving the use of inferior building materials and serious corruption issues with oversight failures.
Situated strategically between India and China, Nepal holds significant geopolitical importance. During Oli’s tenure, Nepal’s relations with the Chinese Communist Party grew closer. In July 2024, upon Oli’s return to power, he broke from tradition by choosing Beijing for his first official visit rather than India.
With the collapse of the Oli government, India closely monitors the situation’s developments. The Indian Cabinet Committee on Security convened an emergency meeting on Tuesday night to discuss the latest developments in neighboring countries. Indian Prime Minister Modi subsequently publicly stated, “Stability, peace, and prosperity in Nepal are crucial for regional development. I call upon all the people of Nepal to ensure peace and order.”