Nepal’s parliament building was set ablaze on September 9, 2025, amid escalating anti-corruption protests that have shaken the Himalayan nation to its core. The fire engulfed the historic legislature in Kathmandu just a day after Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned, following intense public outrage over the deaths of at least 22 protesters during confrontations with police. The turmoil marks Nepal’s most severe political crisis in decades, fueled by demands for an end to corruption and the lifting of a controversial ban on social media platforms.

The protests erupted on September 4 when the government abruptly blocked access to 26 major social media sites, including Facebook, WhatsApp, and YouTube, igniting widespread anger among Nepal’s predominantly young population. This move was perceived as an attempt to silence growing criticism of rampant corruption within Nepal’s political elite. Demonstrators, largely from the country’s “Gen Z” generation, flooded the streets of Kathmandu and other cities, calling for government accountability and democratic reforms.

Security forces responded with force, using tear gas, water cannons, rubber bullets, and live ammunition, resulting in casualties and injuries. Among the dead were students and activists, some reportedly shot in the head during protests near the parliament. The unrest spilled beyond Kathmandu, spreading rapidly to multiple provinces, with firebombs, arson, and attacks targeting government buildings, political party offices, and homes of senior leaders.

Eyewitness Ekram Giri, spokesman for the Parliamentary Secretariat, described the chaos: “Protesters breached the perimeter and torched the parliament, sending thick black smoke into the skies. The damage is extensive, and the event symbolizes a profound rupture in Nepal’s political landscape.” Across Kathmandu, demonstrators also set fire to the Nepali Congress headquarters and the residences of senior government ministers, including the home of former Prime Minister Sharma Oli.

In his resignation letter to President Ramchandra Paudel, Oli cited the “adverse situation” as the reason for stepping down, expressing a desire to enable a political resolution within the constitutional framework. Oli’s tenure witnessed decades of Nepal’s turbulent transition from monarchy to republic, but his administration was overshadowed by allegations of graft and poor governance, which many believe triggered the protests.

Former Mayor and popular public figure Balendra Shah called for calm, urging “restraint amidst anger” on social media to prevent further destruction and loss of life. The Nepalese Army has since been deployed to restore order, with Chief of Staff Ashok Raj Sigdel appealing to protesters to suspend rallies and engage in dialogue. Curfews remain in place in Kathmandu and key districts, though protests continue.

International bodies have expressed concern. The United Nations Human Rights Chief Volker Türk condemned the use of excessive force and called for independent investigations into the killings. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the importance of stability and peaceful resolution in Nepal for regional security.

In summary, the burning of Nepal’s parliament amid widespread demonstrations crystallizes the nation’s fierce demand for an end to endemic corruption and political dysfunction. The country faces a fragile future requiring urgent political dialogue, justice for victims, and systemic reforms to restore democratic norms and public trust.