KATHMANDU: Former Prime Minister and CPN (UML) Chair KP Sharma Oli on Saturday rejected accusations that he ordered security forces to open fire on demonstrators during the Gen Z movement, calling the claims a “deliberate attempt to mislead the public.”

Speaking at his first public appearance since being ousted from power in the Gen Z protests, Oli said he had consistently opposed bloodshed and had directed officials to prevent violence.

“I was always in favor of avoiding casualties,” he said. “When I heard that 19 people had been killed, I asked how this could happen. Security personnel are supposed to fire warning shots at the ground, but why were people being shot in the head? I am still asking why this happened.”

Oli argued that those who incited unrest were now shifting blame onto him. He urged the public to wait for the findings of the government-formed commission investigating the incident.

“A Prime Minister does not order such shootings — and often does not even know when they occur,” he said.

The former PM also voiced dissatisfaction over what he described as a trend of mocking those who speak in favor of patriotism, labeling them as “blind followers” through misinformation campaigns on social media.

“There is a growing tendency to spread falsehoods and confusion. Anyone who speaks for patriotism is immediately ridiculed. Those who cultivate confusion are actively at work,” he remarked.

This was Oli’s first public event since he spent a week under army protection after his Balkot residence was torched during the protests.

He has since rented a house in Gundu, Bhaktapur. The event was attended by his spouse Radhika Shakya, leaders Bhanubhakta Dhakal, Mahesh Basnet, and Rajiv Pahari. Security in the area was heavily reinforced.

Oli further claimed that during its tenure, the UML-led government had delivered historic progress in development.