Nepal’s Agriculture Minister Ram Nath Adhikari on Tuesday resigned from his post, condemning the government’s crackdown that left 19 people dead during ‘Gen Z’ protests across Kathmandu and other parts of the country a day earlier, according to local media reports.
Adhikari, aligned with the Shekhar Koirala faction of the Nepali Congress, stepped down citing what he called the government’s authoritarian response during Monday’s demonstrations, Kathmandu Post reported. His departure comes a day after Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned, taking moral responsibility for the handling of the protests.
In his resignation letter, Adhikari wrote that “instead of recognising citizens’ natural right to question democracy and stage peaceful protests, the state responded with widespread suppression, killings, and use of force, moving the country towards authoritarianism rather than democracy.”
Water Supply Minister Resigns
Minister for Water Supply Pradeep Yadav also resigned on Tuesday, saying he was no longer fit to serve in government after the deaths of 19 people during the Gen Z protest.
“I announce my resignation from the post of Minister of Water Supply Ministry in support of the movement launched by the Genji youth generation yesterday and in protest against the repression by the government and administration. Dear young brothers and sisters, you are my first ally and the source of my passion and energy. I appeal to all of us to show restraint and support the young generation in the right direction,” Yadav said in a statement.
Meanwhile, two people suffered bullet injuries near the residence of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli in Balkot, Bhaktapur, as protests escalated nationwide. Security officials have not yet issued a statement on the incident.
In Naikap, protesters vandalised and set fire to the home of Ramesh Lekhak, who resigned as Home Minister on Monday. Reports said demonstrators also targeted and torched the houses of other senior leaders as unrest spread despite curfews and heavy security deployments.
The protests reached the residence of Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, where demonstrators set fire to property, including at least half a dozen vehicles inside the compound.
PM Calls For All Party Meet
Amid the spiralling unrest, Prime Minister Oli called an all-party meeting for 6 p.m. today to discuss the crisis.
“I am in dialogue with the relevant parties to assess the situation and find a meaningful conclusion. For that, I have also called an all-party meeting at 6 p.m. today. I humbly request all brothers and sisters to remain calm in this difficult situation,” the Prime Minister’s secretariat said in a statement.
PM Planning To Flee Dubai
Separately, sources close to Oli said the Prime Minister is preparing to leave for Dubai, citing medical treatment. A private carrier, Himalaya Airlines, has been placed on standby for the trip.
Oli has reportedly handed over acting responsibilities to his Deputy Prime Minister ahead of the planned departure, as political turmoil deepens with multiple ministerial resignations and growing public anger.
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