Ousted Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has spoken for the first time after stepping down amid violent youth-led protests. On Wednesday (September 10), Oli said he is currently staying at the Shivapuri barracks of the Nepal Army, north of Kathmandu.
Contrary to earlier reports that he had fled Nepal, Oli insisted that he had not left the country.
Where is Nepal’s PM KP Sharma Oli now?
Oli confirmed that he is at the Shivapuri barracks, a secure military facility near Kathmandu. His statement came after multiple reports on Tuesday claimed he had fled the country. He fled from a Nepal Army helicopter, and reports claimed that he tried to flee to Saudi Arabia but stayed in Nepal.
Blames India for Losing Power
In his statement, Oli launched an attack on India and claimed that he lost power because he opposed the government of New Delhi on several issues.
“I lost power because I opposed the birth of Lord Ram in Ayodhya,” Oli said, repeating his claim that Lord Ram was born in Nepal.
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He also said his strong stand on disputed border territories with India, Lipulekh, Kalapani, and Limpiyadhura, contributed to his downfall.
“By nature, I am a little stubborn. Without that stubbornness, perhaps I would have given up long ago. It was with that same insistence that I demanded social media companies register locally. I insisted that Lipulekh, Kalapani, and Limpiyadhura belong to Nepal. I maintained that Lord Shri Ram was born in Nepal, not India. Had I compromised on these stands, I could have chosen many easier paths and reaped many benefits,” Oli said in his letter.
Ministers and PM Oli Airlifted with Agusta Westland AW139 and HAL’s ALH Dhruv
During the peak of the violent protests in Nepal, the government deployed helicopters to move top leaders to safety. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and several ministers were airlifted out of danger zones using an AgustaWestland AW139 and HAL’s Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv.
Both helicopters carried officials from heavily targeted areas, where mobs had set fire to homes and government buildings, to secure locations under army protection.
The use of these aircraft highlighted the scale of the crisis, as the country’s political leadership was forced to rely on military evacuation to escape public fury.
Social Media Ban Sparked Protests
Nepal is facing one of its worst political crises in decades. The protests began after the Oli government suddenly banned 26 social media platforms on September 4, including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp, and X.
The ban triggered massive anger among the country’s youth. Protests soon spread across Nepal, with demonstrators targeting corruption, inequality, and lack of accountability.
Violence Across Nepal
The demonstrations quickly turned violent. Protesters stormed and set fire to government buildings, including the Parliament, the Prime Minister’s residence, and the President’s house.
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Several ministers were attacked or chased by mobs. The wife of former PM Jhala Nath Khanal, Rajyalaxmi Chitrakar, died after their home was set on fire.
Reports said more than 13,500 prisoners escaped from jails during the unrest.
Heavy Casualties Reported
At least 19 people were killed when security forces opened fire on demonstrators. Hundreds more were injured.
Oli, before resigning, ordered an investigation into the shootings and promised compensation for the families of the victims.
Gen Z-Led Uprising
The protests, led mostly by Nepal’s youth, have been called the ‘Gen Z Revolution.’ Demonstrators used viral videos, music, and social media trends to fuel their movement once platforms were restored.
With Oli gone, Nepal faces a deep political vacuum. The protests have not stopped, as young citizens demand structural reforms and more accountable leadership.
