[Today’s Prayer] Ousted Former Nepalese Prime Minister Blames External Forces for Bloodshed… Protesters Demand “Arrest Immediately”

The ousted former prime minister of Nepal and the Gen Z activists who led the protests are trading blame over responsibility for at least 72 deaths during the anti-government demonstrations.

The former prime minister’s camp claimed there had been “no order to open fire” and attributed the violence to external agitators who infiltrated the protests, while demonstrators insisted government officials were the “direct culprits” and demanded their immediate arrest.

According to the Times of India and others on the 21st, former Prime Minister Sharma Oli—who was recently driven from power by the protests—wrote on his Facebook page on the 19th: “The government did not order the police to fire at the protesters. Infiltrators who entered the protests incited violence and bloodshed, which caused many young people to lose their lives.”

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He further urged the new interim government to conduct a thorough investigation into the violence. This was Oli’s first official statement on the protests since his resignation on the 9th.

On the 8th, the Nepalese government triggered the protests by blocking social media platforms such as YouTube and Facebook. Discontented with long-standing corruption, incompetence, and wealth inequality, Gen Z youth joined en masse, and the demonstrations spread nationwide.

When police cracked down with water cannons and rubber bullets, casualties soared. Furious protesters set fire to the presidential office, the prime minister’s residence, and the parliament building, plunging the situation into chaos.

On the 9th, Prime Minister Oli and Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak lifted the social media ban and stepped down, but the violence continued until September 13, when Sushila Karki was appointed interim prime minister.

Although Oli resigned as prime minister, he still serves as chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal–Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML), a coalition partner.

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Youth leaders fiercely rejected Oli’s claims. Dr. Nicholas Bhusal, an advisor to the protest leadership, said at a press conference on the 20th: “Former Prime Minister Oli, former Home Minister Lekhak, and Chhabi Rizal, the Kathmandu regional head, are the three directly responsible for the gunfire that escalated into violent bloodshed. They must be arrested immediately.”

Protesters also began a sit-in at the site where the anti-government demonstrations started on the 8th, demanding arrests. While both sides clash over responsibility, the new interim government has yet to issue any official response.

Source: Nate News

“Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.” (Psalm 73:25)

We hear the news that while blame is being exchanged between ousted former Prime Minister Oli and protest leaders over the responsibility for at least 72 deaths during the recent anti-government protests in Nepal, the new interim government has remained silent without issuing any official response.

Although Nepal’s rulers lost power amid nationwide protests led by a young generation frustrated with corruption, incompetence, and inequality, the interim government has neither pursued arrests nor given hope to Nepal’s youth. Lord, we pray that You alone will be the hope of Nepal.

Amid Nepal’s political and social turmoil, may the global church be taught the direction it must take in advancing the gospel. Send those who can guide Nepal’s youth leaders to find their way through Your Word.

May the small Nepalese church, all the more in this time, strive to proclaim the gospel, bearing witness that Jesus Christ alone is the hope of heaven and earth. May Nepal become a nation of young people who long for the Kingdom of God.

Thus, let Nepal rise as a people who worship God from the highest places and proclaim the gospel to the ends of the earth!