Resignation follows mounting criticism after 19 people killed during youth-led demonstrations

JK Darshan News Desk

Kathmandu | September 8, 2025

Nepal’s political landscape witnessed a dramatic turn on Monday evening as Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak tendered his resignation following the deaths of 19 people during nationwide youth-led demonstrations.

According to officials present at the meeting, Lekhak handed over his resignation to Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli during a Cabinet session held at the prime minister’s official residence in Baluwatar. He is said to have stepped down on moral grounds after police action during the protests left 17 dead in Kathmandu and two in Itahari, while more than 400 were reported injured.

The resignation came hours after prominent Nepali Congress leaders Gagan Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma openly demanded accountability from the Home Minister at their party’s internal meeting. Although Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba refrained from making a statement, Lekhak is understood to have informed colleagues of his decision before formally presenting it to the Prime Minister.

Protests escalate into nationwide crisis

The Gen Z protests, initially launched as a peaceful campaign demanding transparency, good governance, and reforms in digital freedom, have now evolved into one of Nepal’s largest youth movements in recent history. Demonstrations intensified on Monday across several urban centres, with Kathmandu witnessing violent clashes. Security forces reportedly opened fire to disperse the crowds, sparking widespread outrage and mounting political pressure.

Political fallout and growing scrutiny

Lekhak, who assumed charge as Home Minister on July 15, 2024, faced increasing criticism over his handling of the crisis. Rights groups—both domestic and international—have strongly condemned the killings, calling for an independent investigation into the use of force against demonstrators.

The government has imposed curfews in Kathmandu and Lalitpur in an attempt to restore order, but public anger shows little sign of waning. Protesters, largely comprising Nepal’s younger generation, have accused the government of authoritarianism and branded it a “killer regime.”

What lies ahead

While Lekhak’s resignation has momentarily shifted the political spotlight, pressure is now mounting on Prime Minister Oli’s leadership. Opposition parties argue that ultimate responsibility lies with the head of government. Analysts suggest that the crisis could trigger deeper political realignments in Nepal if unrest continues unchecked.

For now, the streets remain tense, the youth movement emboldened, and the government under intensifying scrutiny both at home and abroad.

Nepal’s Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigns amid Gen Z protest deaths