Former Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli, who resigned amid Nepal’s nationwide Gen Z-led protests, has issued a personal letter addressing the young protesters, cautioning them against being exploited by political forces pursuing destructive agendas.
In the letter, Oli revealed that he is currently under military protection in Shivpuri, north of the Kathmandu Valley. He expressed personal grief and reflected on his decades-long political career, while also paying tribute to the young protesters who lost their lives during police crackdowns.
“Due to the harsh struggles imposed by the state, I have no children, but my desire to be a father has never ended,” Oli wrote, recalling the personal losses and sacrifices he has endured.
He also highlighted his commitment to peace, noting that during his tenure as Home Minister in 1994, no shots were fired while he held office. Oli emphasized that forces behind the current unrest are exploiting the innocence of the youth to carry out destructive acts, including arson and vandalism of key government offices and sensitive state records.
Addressing the protesters directly, he wrote, “Your innocent faces are being used for misguided politics.”
The letter further reiterated Oli’s firm stance on Nepal’s national issues, including territorial claims over Lipulekh, Kalapani, and Limpiyadhura, which have at times been points of tension with India. He underlined his lifelong commitment to protecting democratic freedoms, including citizens’ rights to speak, move, and question the state.
The Gen Z protests began on Monday, 8 September, triggered by the government’s social media ban and long-standing grievances over corruption and governance. The unrest has so far claimed at least 30 lives, with violent clashes spreading through Kathmandu in the following days. Some protesters set fire to government buildings, public property, and sensitive documents, highlighting the intensity and scale of the uprising.
As Oli speaks directly to the youth, the letter serves as both a personal reflection and a cautionary note amid one of Nepal’s most tumultuous political moments in decades.
