After violence and resignation, Nepal turns to former CJ Sushila Karki for stability

By Nava Thakuria*

Nepal, sandwiched between India and Tibet (China), has returned to normalcy after two days of political unrest, during which young people took to the streets of Kathmandu and other major urban centers with various demands, including greater government accountability. The Himalayan nation, home to over 30 million people, remained under the control of government armed forces until an interim regime was formed on the evening of 12 September 2025.

Nepal’s first woman Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Sushila Karki, was sworn in as interim Prime Minister, with President Ramchandra Paudel administering the oath in the presence of dignitaries. An alumna of Banaras Hindu University in India, Ms. Karki now bears the primary responsibility of conducting national elections within six months.

Earlier, President Paudel and Nepali Army Chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel appealed to citizens to ignore misleading and false information circulating amid the turmoil. Announcing the acceptance of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s resignation, the octogenarian head of state called for everyone’s support in amicably resolving the crisis. Meanwhile, Rajyalaxmi Chitrakar, wife of former premier Jhalanath Khanal—who was widely rumored to have been burnt alive—is currently recovering in hospital. Media reports suggested that protesters set fire to their Kathmandu residence while she was inside, and she was at one point reported to have succumbed to her injuries.

Many ministers in the Oli government resigned and fled the country fearing the wrath of angry agitators. However, the ousted premier is believed to remain inside Nepal. The country’s veteran Communist leader and former premier Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda) also continues to stay in Kathmandu. Interior Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned on 8 September, accepting moral responsibility for the deaths of 19 unarmed people, mostly youth agitators, in police firing.

The protests had been triggered by the government’s sweeping ban on several social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, Snapchat, Pinterest, Reddit, LinkedIn, and X (Twitter).

Initially peaceful, the demonstrations soon turned violent, prompting a police crackdown that left over one hundred injured. The police action further inflamed the situation, and the following day thousands poured into the streets of Kathmandu, Pokhara, Biratnagar, Bharatpur, Butwal, Birgunj, and other cities. Protesters expanded their demands to include stronger measures against corruption and better governance.

The crisis erupted on 9 September, when hundreds of thousands of demonstrators gathered in public places and began ransacking government buildings, including the Parliament, Supreme Court, ministers’ offices and residences, and several political party headquarters.

Taking advantage of the chaos, anti-social elements also facilitated the escape of a large number of jail inmates. The Army was eventually deployed, bringing the situation under control. The two days of violence claimed more than 50 lives and left over a thousand injured. Armed forces imposed nationwide restrictions on public movement, particularly during nighttime.

Disturbing visuals also emerged from Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, where some dissenters physically assaulted Deputy Prime Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel, Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba, and former premier Sher Bahadur Deuba along with his wife.

Media houses were also targeted, with protesters attacking mainstream groups such as Kantipur Media Group (which publishes The Kathmandu Post and Kantipur Daily and operates Kantipur Television) and Annapurna Media Network. Several journalists were injured while covering the turmoil, including Kantipur television reporter Shyam Shrestha, Naya Patrika photojournalist Dipendra Dhungana, Nepal Press photographer Umesh Karki, Desh Sanchar photojournalist Barsha Shaha, and independent media worker Shambhu Dangal. Two visiting Indian journalists also faced intimidation on the ground.

Septuagenarian Oli, who led the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) government with support from the Nepali Congress, had assumed office for the fourth time. Known for his closeness to Beijing, he often made anti-India statements. However, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi promptly expressed concern over the turmoil in Nepal.

Terming the violence “heart-rending,” Modi condoled the deaths of many young people. Soon after Ms. Karki’s elevation, the Indian leader stated that India remains fully committed to the peace, progress, and prosperity of the people of Nepal.

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*Senior journalist based in Guwahati

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