KATHMANDU, Nepal—Anti-corruption protests have escalated in Nepal, with protesters setting fire to the parliament building in the capital. The unrest follows the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.
Reports from the scene indicate that young people, angered by widespread corruption and a perceived culture of “nepo kids” (nepotism), have taken to the streets. Eyewitness Charlotte Scarr from the BBC describes protesters dancing and chanting around fires, with all the windows of the parliament building smashed. Graffiti with anti-government messages has been spray-painted on the exterior, with one message reading: “You took the wrong fight.”
The demonstrations are described as spontaneous and lacking a clear leadership structure, with no specific demands articulated beyond a general anti-corruption call. The anger is not limited to the parliament; houses of several ministers and politicians have also been vandalised and set alight. Some political leaders have reportedly sought refuge with security forces, leaving a power vacuum in the government. The fact that security chiefs and bureaucrats are appealing for calm suggests that political leadership has stepped back.
With Nepal having had 14 prime ministers since becoming a republic in 2008, the continuous political instability and shifting alliances have frustrated many, particularly the youth. The current protests are seen as a reflection of widespread discontent with the entire political class.
Verification of Footage from Kathmandu
BBC reporters Sherie Ryder and Kumar Malhotra have been verifying footage from the protests, confirming the unrest in Kathmandu. Videos show riot police on a street close to the parliament offices, a location verified using Google Maps and Street View. Other footage shows fires in the grounds of the government complex and the Supreme Court of Nepal, with smashed windows and scattered rubbish. These videos have been confirmed to be new and authentic.
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