The recent wave of Gen-Z protests in Nepal that forced Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli’s resignation was “entirely homegrown” with no external involvement, says veteran diplomat Vijay Kanta Karna.
Speaking to StratNews Global from Kathmandu, Karna—Nepal’s former envoy to Denmark—said: “This is a revolt against corruption, loot and years of misrule by all major political parties… Even students from Class 8 onwards came out to protest. Those who don’t even vote were on the streets.”
The protests turned violent on September 9, with government buildings including Parliament, the Supreme Court, and the PM’s residence set ablaze. Following Army-brokered negotiations, former Chief Justice Sushila Karki was sworn in as interim prime minister on September 12.
Karna, now head of the Centre for Social Inclusion and Foreign Policy, urged India and China to support Nepal in holding “free and fair elections,” but warned polls cannot be conducted before eight to nine months.
President Ramchandra Paudel has dissolved Parliament and called for elections by March 2026. Meanwhile, a national day of mourning was observed on September 17 for the 72 people killed in the unrest.
