Kathmandu, Sept 8: Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has resigned from his post amidst nationwide protest against the government.
The resignation comes in the wake of violent crackdowns during the ongoing Gen Z-led protests, where police opened indiscriminate fire on demonstrators, killing more than 20 youths and injuring hundreds.
Facing mounting moral and political pressure, Lekhak submitted his resignation to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, according to sources.
Gen Z youths were protesting against rampant corruption in the country, mis-usage of power and banning of social platforms like Facebook, X, YouTube.
Following today’s tragic events, social media was flooded with demands for the Home Minister’s immediate resignation. During a meeting of the Nepali Congress office bearers, both General Secretaries Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwo Prakash Sharma suggested that Lekhak step down on moral grounds.
After attending the Congress meeting, Lekhak reportedly went directly to the Cabinet meeting and handed his resignation to PM Oli.
This is not the first time Lekhak’s leadership as Home Minister has come under scrutiny. Back in Chaitra 2081 BS, he faced widespread calls to resign after excessive police force was used to suppress Durga Prasai’s pro-monarchy rally in Tripureshwor, Kathmandu. Despite surviving then, Lekhak has long been criticized for his weak command over the country’s police administration.
Adding to the controversy, both the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) had recently accused Lekhak of being complicit in corruption and human trafficking rackets allegedly operating openly at Tribhuvan International Airport’s immigration office. Both parties had been demanding his resignation in Parliament. #nepal #GenZ #protest
