Days of violent protests that left at least 40 people dead and forced Nepal’s prime minister from office reportedly culminated Friday with the swearing-in of the nation’s first female leader, a move brokered by the president and overseen by the military.
Sushila Karki, a 73-year-old former chief justice who once built a reputation for cracking down on corruption and promoting civil liberties, was appointed to head a caretaker government. “We have taken another step toward a glorified Nepal,” declared Hami Nepal, one of the youth groups that spearheaded the demonstrations, in a post on Discord.
Karki was sworn in by President Ram Chandra Paudel after days of chaos that saw mobs torch Parliament, attack politicians, and burn the private residence of former Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli, who stepped down on Tuesday.
The unrest had begun over a government ban on social-media platforms, a measure that critics argued was aimed at silencing dissent. Although the ban was lifted, anger boiled over into a nationwide movement against entrenched corruption and political privilege.
The demonstrations proved costly. Nineteen protesters were killed on the first day alone, most of them young people, when police opened fire with live ammunition, according to Human Rights Watch. By week’s end, the death toll had doubled, with roughly 2,000 more injured in clashes with security forces.
The violence highlighted deep-seated frustrations among many of Nepal’s nearly 30 million citizens, who accuse politicians of living well beyond their means while ordinary people face rising hardship. “The only explanation is corruption,” said protesters, pointing to lavish lifestyles enjoyed by political families compared with their modest government salaries.
Karki, who served as chief justice from 2016 to 2017, emerged as the compromise candidate in backroom negotiations facilitated by the army.
The military had taken to patrolling the streets after the collapse of civilian authority. “The army respected democratic values but was compelled to take a prominent role amid the government’s collapse and widespread vandalism,” an army spokesman explained.
Her appointment underscores a sharp break with the recent past. Rather than appointing another political insider, Nepalese leaders turned to a judge known for independence and toughness.
Acting on Karki’s recommendation, President Paudel dissolved Parliament and scheduled new elections for March.
Whether the interim government can restore stability remains to be seen. Karki pledged to prioritize an investigation into the killings and to ensure accountability for security forces accused of opening fire on demonstrators.
For many of the young protesters who fueled the uprising, justice for those deaths will be the litmus test for her leadership.
Yet the protests themselves point to the fragile nature of Nepal’s democracy. That mobs were able to burn government buildings and drive out a sitting prime minister is a stark reminder of the volatility that unchecked corruption and elite arrogance can ignite.
While the military helped restore calm, critics worry the events could embolden future unrest unless the new leadership takes serious steps to reform.
For now, Nepal stands at a crossroads. With a female caretaker prime minister at the helm, a wounded political class, and an emboldened public demanding accountability, the Himalayan nation has taken a historic step — though whether it leads to renewal or deeper instability remains uncertain.
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