Himalaya Burns: Nepal Plunged into Crisis

Parliament and Leaders’ Homes Torched

Kathmandu, Nepal – Nepal is reeling under a wave of violent anti-government protests that reached a tragic peak this week when the wife of former Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal died after her home was set on fire by demonstrators. The unrest, sparked by the government’s controversial ban on social media, has escalated into a full-blown political crisis, exposing deep public anger over corruption, mismanagement, and lack of economic opportunity.

Institutions in Flames

On Tuesday, Nepal’s Parliament building, the Supreme Court, and the residences of senior political leaders were set ablaze by crowds of protesters. Television channels broadcast live images of flames consuming the country’s legislative heart, while reporters on the ground confirmed the storming of Parliament within minutes of Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli’s resignation.

News agency PTI circulated visuals of the fire engulfing the Supreme Court, while local stations showed protesters chanting anti-government slogans as they overran security barricades.

Targeted Attacks on Leaders

Adding to the chaos, the Foreign Minister of Nepal was attacked at her residence, highlighting the increasingly personal nature of the unrest. Khanal’s wife’s death has shocked the political establishment, underscoring the vulnerability of leaders and their families amid the fury.

Sources in Kathmandu say that Oli, who resigned under immense pressure, is preparing to leave the country—possibly to Dubai under the pretext of medical treatment. These claims, however, could not be independently verified.

Sri Lankan Nationals Advised Caution

The Sri Lankan Embassy in Kathmandu has urged the Sri Lankan community to remain indoors and take strict safety measures. A total of 99 Sri Lankans, including 22 university students and embassy staff, currently reside in Nepal.

A 24-hour emergency hotline has been set up: +977-9851048653.

Embassy-run WhatsApp groups have been established for rapid updates and advisories.

Sri Lankans have been advised to stock water, dry rations, and essential medicines.

So far, no Sri Lankans have been reported harmed. Embassy officials said they are closely monitoring developments and remain in constant communication with community leaders.

Youth-Led Movement

The protests are largely youth-driven, fueled by widespread unemployment, frustration with entrenched corruption, and disillusionment with decades of political instability. The government’s move to ban social media platforms acted as a lightning rod, sparking anger among a generation already skeptical of traditional politics.

Analysts warn that the violence marks one of the gravest threats to Nepal’s fragile democratic system since the abolition of the monarchy in 2008.

A Nation on Edge

With major government offices shut, diplomatic channels frozen, and the capital blanketed in smoke, Nepal’s political stability hangs in the balance. International observers are now watching closely to see whether the unrest will lead to a negotiated settlement—or spiral further into anarchy.