09 September,2025 03:22 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Manisha Koirala
Actor Manisha Koirala has strongly raised her voice regarding the ongoing protests in Nepal. Taking to Instagram, the actress condemned the act of the government. Her statement comes after massive demonstrations led by Gen Z protestors against corruption and the government's social media ban turned deadly.
Taking to Instagram, Koirala shared a disturbing image of a blood-soaked shoe along with a note in Nepali, calling the violence a "black day for Nepal." The translated caption read, "Today is a black day for Nepal - when bullets respond to the voice of the people, outrage against corruption and demand for justice."
For the unversed, at least 20 people were killed and more than 250 injured after security forces opened fire on demonstrators near Parliament on Monday. The protests, which began online, were triggered by the KP Sharma Oli government's decision to ban 26 social media platforms and growing public anger over corruption.
The Gen Z-led demonstrations heightened after protesters stormed the Parliament complex located in Kathmandu, prompting the police to use batons, tear gas, and rubber bullets to disperse the crowds. Consequently, unrest spread, and the army was deployed in the capital to maintain order. Curfews were enforced in Kathmandu, along with Birgunj, Bhairahawa, Butwal, Pokhara, Itahari, and Damak. Amid the mounting pressure, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned from his post and claimed moral responsibility for the crackdown.
Hours after her post, she shared another post on social media paying tribute to her grandfather, B.P. Koirala, on his birth anniversary. Honouring Nepal's first elected Prime Minister, she highlighted his enduring legacy as a writer and a champion of democracy. Taking to her Instagram handle, Manisha shared his timeless words on freedom, youth, and the importance of standing against corruption.
The actress posted a rare and unseen black and white picture of her late grandfather and captioned it, "Remembering B.P. BA on his birthday- Nepal's first elected Prime Minister and a writer who gave voice to love, conflict, and resilience. As students rise today against corruption and for freedom, his words feel timeless: 'Democracy is indivisible; if you want democracy at home, you cannot afford to neglect all struggles for it.-B.P. Koirala #BPKoirala #Democracy Nepal #StudentsForChange #YouthPower #Freedom Movement."
For the unversed, Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala, better known as B. P. Koirala, was a prominent Nepali revolutionary, writer, and political leader. He served as Nepal's Prime Minister from 1959 to 1960. He was at the helm of the Nepali Congress, a social democratic party. Koirala was also the grandfather of Bollywood actors Manisha Koirala and Siddharth Koirala, the elder brother of former Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, and the younger brother of former Prime Minister Matrika Prasad Koirala.
B.P. Koirala, Nepal's first democratically elected Prime Minister, passed away from oropharyngeal cancer in 1982 in Kathmandu. Prior to his death, he had returned from medical treatment in the United States.
(With inputs from IANS)
