Rabi Lamichhane Freed by Protesters as Nepal's Political Crisis Deepens

Nepal is facing major political unrest after thousands of young protesters took to the streets, demanding change and opposing a now-revoked social media ban.

In a dramatic turn, former Deputy Prime Minister and Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) leader Rabi Lamichhane was freed from prison by protesters on Tuesday in Kathmandu.

Lamichhane had been jailed in Nakkhu Prison in connection with a cooperative savings case. But during a protest outside the prison, demonstrators opened the gates and released him. His wife, Nikita Paudel, came to receive him, and a video of him addressing supporters quickly spread on social media. He appeared in a white outfit and greeted the large crowd gathered outside.

Following Lamichhane’s release, reports say all 1,500 inmates at Nakkhu Jail also walked out, after police reportedly withdrew from their posts. This unexpected mass release has raised serious concerns about security.

Earlier the same day, 21 Members of Parliament from Lamichhane’s party resigned, pushing Nepal’s already unstable political situation further into crisis. The resignations are seen as a strategic move to disrupt Parliament and pressure the government.

Lamichhane is seen as the rising face of a new political movement in Nepal, driven by young people frustrated with traditional leaders. Once a media personality, Lamichhane uses social media effectively and is seen by many as honest, relatable, and uncorrupted — a contrast to Nepal’s older political figures.

Meanwhile, the protests — sparked by a government ban on platforms like TikTok and Instagram — have turned deadly. At least 19 people were killed and over 300 injured. The government had revoked the ban, but protests continued and spread across the country.

Facing massive public pressure, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned on Tuesday. Protesters had been chanting slogans like “KP Chor, Desh Chhod” ("KP thief, leave the country") and calling for an end to political corruption.

The protests, led largely by Gen Z activists, reflect growing public anger and a demand for real change in Nepal’s politics.