New Delhi- A surge of Indian tourists returned home through the India-Nepal border at Sonauli in Uttar Pradesh’s Maharajganj district on Wednesday, cutting their trips short due to intensifying unrest in Nepal.
The Himalayan nation has been rocked by large-scale protests led by Gen Z activists demanding an end to corruption and censorship. The unrest escalated to a point where Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned from office earlier this week.
Many Indian pilgrims and tourists, especially senior citizens visiting religious sites such as the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, were forced to abandon their plans due to flight cancellations and border closures.
“We were going to Pashupatinath Temple from Bhopal, but our flight was cancelled. The airport was shut down, and we were not allowed to proceed. So, we returned,” said Pramila Saxena, a senior citizen among a group of 60 travelers.
Another tourist, Ashok, recounted a similar experience: “We had to stay overnight in a lodge after the flight was cancelled. Now we are returning home.”
Lata Mishra, also from Bhopal, echoed the concerns, saying, “The situation in Nepal is tense. With the airport shut and safety uncertain, we decided to head back.”
The protests, which began on September 8 in cities like Kathmandu, Pokhara, Butwal, and Birgunj, erupted after the Nepalese government imposed a sweeping ban on 26 major social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and YouTube. The government cited cybersecurity and tax issues, but protesters see it as a crackdown on free speech.
The movement has quickly escalated into a nationwide call for transparency, accountability, and the end of institutionalized corruption. Violent clashes between protesters and security forces have left at least 19 people dead and over 500 injured, with government buildings, including the Federal Parliament and the President’s Office at Shital Niwas, being stormed by demonstrators.
In response, Nepalese President Ram Chandra Paudel urged all sides to seek a peaceful resolution. “I urge all parties to remain calm and resolve the issues through dialogue. Democracy must respond to its citizens, but without violence,” he said in an official statement reported by The Himalayan Times.
The Nepal Army has also appealed to the youth to show restraint and protect the nation’s heritage.
To contain the violence, the District Administration Office in Dang, among others, has imposed curfews, banning public gatherings, rallies, and protests. Chief District Officer Bishwa Prakash Aryal confirmed the imposition of restrictions following widespread arson and vandalism targeting public property, government institutions, and private assets.
With the unrest showing no signs of abating, Indian travelers are being urged to avoid non-essential travel to Nepal until the situation stabilizes.
