Gen-Z Protests Leave 30 Dead as Oli Issues Written Message

The Gen-Z protests that began on Monday have turned violent, leaving 30 people dead and damaging key government offices and records. Amid the unrest, former Prime Minister and CPN-UML Chair K.P. Sharma Oli addressed the youths through a written message from Shivapuri, where he remains under military protection.

In his statement, Oli expressed sorrow over the deaths and shared his personal struggles, revealing that he lost his children during earlier political hardships. “I have no children because of the state’s oppression in the fight for change, but the desire to be a father has never died,” he said.

He reminded youths that during his tenure as Home Minister in 1994, no bullets were fired under his leadership, insisting he has always stood for peace. At the same time, he accused unseen forces of pushing demonstrators toward violence, saying the destruction of state offices was not spontaneous but politically driven.

Oli also reaffirmed Nepal’s claim over Lipulekh, Kalapani, and Limpiyadhura, while stressing that defending democracy and citizens’ rights has been his lifelong purpose.

Despite growing calls for him to step down, Oli stayed in office until Wednesday, even as Singh Durbar and Baluwatar turned unsafe due to the escalating violence.