India Urges Citizens to Avoid Travel to Nepal Amid Deadly Protests and PM Oli’s Resignation
India has issued a strong travel advisory for its citizens, asking them to hold off on trips to Nepal until things calm down. This comes after violent protests in the neighboring country led to 19 deaths and forced Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli to step down. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) shared this update on Tuesday, highlighting the unstable situation in Nepal.
The MEA advisory warns Indian travelers to postpone their Nepal plans right away. If you’re already in Nepal, stay put in your residence, steer clear of streets, and stay extra cautious. "Follow local safety guidelines from Nepali authorities and the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu," the advisory says. For any help, dial the embassy’s helpline numbers immediately.
Earlier today, the Indian government expressed deep concern over the Nepal crisis. Officials said they’re keeping a close eye on events since Monday and feel heartbroken about the young lives lost in Nepal protests. "Our thoughts are with the families of those who died, and we wish quick recovery to the injured," the MEA statement noted. As a key neighbor and friend, India hopes everyone shows restraint and solves issues through peaceful talks and dialogue.
The MEA also pointed out the curfew in Kathmandu and other Nepali cities. Indian nationals there should follow all rules from local authorities to stay safe.
What Sparked the Nepal Protests and PM Oli’s Exit?
The chaos in Nepal kicked off with massive Gen-Z-led protests demanding an end to corruption and the lifting of a social media ban. Things turned deadly on Monday when clashes with police killed 19 people. Protesters, fueled by anger, targeted leaders’ homes and government buildings across the country.
On Tuesday, the unrest exploded further. Angry crowds stormed Nepal’s parliament building in Kathmandu’s Baneshwor area and set it ablaze. They had tried to breach it the day before, which triggered a heavy police crackdown and more deaths. Protesters also broke into Singh Durbar, Nepal’s main government hub, and burned its main gate.
Ruling party offices didn’t escape the fury either. The headquarters of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) or CPN-UML, and Nepali Congress in the Kathmandu Valley, got vandalized and torched. Local media reported similar attacks on government offices in various parts of Nepal, with fires and destruction everywhere.
Under this mounting pressure, Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli resigned on Tuesday. He handed his resignation to President Ram Chandra Poudel, blaming the "abnormal situation" from the intensifying protests against his government. Oli had become PM just two months ago, on July 14, 2024, after a deal with the largest party, Nepali Congress.
The ruling coalition started crumbling fast. Ministers from Nepali Congress quit one by one, adding to the heat on Oli. General Secretaries Gagan Thapa and Bishwo Prakash Sharma from Nepali Congress publicly called for Oli’s resignation, saying their seven-point agreement with CPN-UML was now outdated.
Even more drama unfolded when all lawmakers from the Rastriya Swatantra Party—the fourth largest—resigned en masse, pushing for an interim government. Videos of protesters torching Oli’s house in Balakot, Bhaktapur, went viral on social media, showing the raw anger.
Key ministers followed suit with resignations. After the Home and Agriculture Ministers stepped down, Health Minister Pradip Poudel and Youth and Sports Minister Teju Lal Chaudhary quit too. They expressed sorrow over the force used against the young Gen-Z protesters in Nepal.
What’s Next for Nepal Politics?
It’s unclear how Nepal’s political scene will shape up now. With the coalition fractured and demands for change growing, the country faces big uncertainty. India, watching closely, continues to advise caution for its citizens amid the Nepal unrest.
Stay tuned for updates on the Nepal protests, PM Oli resignation, and India Nepal relations as the situation evolves. If you’re planning travel to Nepal or have family there, check official advisories from the MEA for the latest.
