KATHMANDU, Sept 9: CPN UML Chairman and former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has called for an end to violence, anarchy and impunity to protect democracy, the Constitution and national interests, as he marked the first anniversary of the destructive events of September 9, 2025.
In a statement, Oli described the destruction as the “biggest attack and devastation” against the pillars of the state, the foundations of democracy and the backbone of the national economy.
Oli paid tribute to young people killed in police firing during the September 8 protests and to police personnel killed while performing their duties. He wished those injured a speedy recovery and expressed support for political and social figures and businesspeople involved in rebuilding after the destruction.
Oli said citizens in a democracy have every right to present their grievances, expectations and demands to the government. The Constitution guarantees freedom of speech and expression, peaceful assembly and protest, as well as the right to form, reform and change governments through democratic means, he said.
He acknowledged that Nepal had made progress in a relatively short period in establishing democracy, resolving the conflict peacefully, developing infrastructure, promoting social justice and security, rebuilding after the earthquake and protecting national dignity. At the same time, he said the state had failed to address some issues, making public dissatisfaction understandable.
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He claimed that systematic efforts had been made to dismiss Nepal’s achievements, portray the democratic system and political leadership with contempt and spread hatred against political parties.
“The events that took place last September were abnormal, unnatural and undemocratic,” Oli said.
According to Oli, some young groups had sought permission for peaceful demonstrations over issues including unrestricted access to social media and good governance. Organisers had pledged to keep the protests peaceful and within the law, prompting authorities to grant permission and deploy limited security personnel.
However, he claimed that criminal groups infiltrated the peaceful demonstration that began at Maitighar and turned it into an uncontrolled, anarchic and violent protest.
Even after organisers announced the suspension of the programme, Oli alleged that “conspiratorial groups” that had infiltrated the protests used innocent young demonstrators as human shields and incited them to attack the Parliament building.
Oli recalled that after the September 8 violence, the Cabinet had expressed regret, decided to form a judicial commission, lift the temporary social media ban, provide free treatment to the injured and compensate victims’ families. He also noted that the then Home Minister resigned, taking moral responsibility for the incident.
He claimed the events that followed were a planned attempt to attack democracy. The September 9 destruction, he argued, was not simply an outburst of anger over the deaths of young protesters the previous day.
Oli described it as the manifestation of a “deadly plan” to reverse Nepal’s course toward nationalism, democracy and constitutionalism and push the country toward authoritarianism, anarchy and geopolitical conflict.
He called the arson and destruction of the President’s Office, Prime Minister’s residence, Singha Durbar, Parliament building, Supreme Court, offices of democratic political parties, monuments to martyrs and national figures, and public and private property one of the darkest chapters in Nepal’s history.
Oli called for a thorough investigation into how a protest permitted as peaceful turned violent and who was responsible. He also accused authorities of pursuing the arrest and prosecution of the then prime minister and home minister out of prejudice, ulterior motives and political revenge. He questioned why a report on the role of security agencies in the violence had been kept secret.
He alleged that granting impunity to those accused of the September 9 destruction and halting investigations and prosecutions had institutionalised the criminalisation of politics.
Oli said questions remained over why security agencies failed to protect the state’s key institutions and democratic foundations from attack.
He urged the public to oppose violence and anarchy to prevent a repeat of the September 9 destruction, end impunity and punish those responsible for burning state property. He also called for establishing the principle that every political dispute can be resolved peacefully within a democracy.
Oli further alleged that campaigns of revenge, hatred and exclusion had recently been directed against political parties and leaders that fought for the establishment of democracy. He said efforts to undermine institutions such as the presidency, Parliament, judiciary and civil society were increasing, along with attempts to dismantle the fundamental structures of the Constitution.
