Kathmandu/New Delhi: Indian pilgrims returning from a visit to the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu came under attack on Thursday morning as Nepal witnessed escalating unrest over a controversial social media ban. Miscreants hurled stones at their Uttar Pradesh–registered bus, shattering its windows, looting belongings, and injuring several passengers, according to police reports.

Bus carrying pilgrims targeted

The bus, carrying pilgrims mostly from Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh, was attacked while travelling back to India. The driver, Raj from Andhra Pradesh, recounted the ordeal: “The attackers broke all the glass panes with stones and looted our belongings.”

Despite the chaos, the bus managed to reach the Sonauli border near Maharajganj in Uttar Pradesh on Thursday evening. Seven to eight passengers sustained injuries before Nepalese army personnel intervened.

Shyamu Nishad, a bus staffer, told the Times of India that the Indian government later arranged for all stranded passengers to be airlifted from Kathmandu to Delhi.

Stranded Indians in Nepal

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said around 200 Telugu nationals remain stranded in riot-hit Nepal. He assured that the state government is coordinating with New Delhi to ensure their safety and evacuation.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Transport Corporation’s Maitri Bus Sewa, which connects Delhi to Kathmandu over a 1,167-kilometre route, has been suspended due to the ongoing turmoil. Several buses remain stuck in Nepal, leaving passengers stranded. The service normally operates six times a week.

Nepal unrest intensifies

The protests, which erupted on September 8, spread across Kathmandu, Pokhara, Butwal, and Birgunj after the Nepal government imposed a ban on major social media platforms. Officials cited tax revenue and cybersecurity concerns, but critics say the move is an attempt to stifle free speech.

Anger quickly escalated into street demonstrations demanding the ban’s reversal and stronger measures against corruption and nepotism. The “Nepo Babies” trend on social media, which exposed the extravagant lifestyles of politicians’ children, further fuelled resentment among citizens struggling with inflation and unemployment.

Violence and political fallout

As protests turned violent, demonstrators vandalised government offices and torched party properties, including the Nepal Communist Party office in Kathmandu. On Tuesday, protesters set fire to the Hilton Kathmandu, once considered a symbol of modern Nepal. Damages were estimated at over Rs 8 billion.

Security forces clamped down, resulting in at least 30 deaths and over 1,000 injuries in clashes. Authorities have imposed curfews in multiple cities, including Kathmandu, to control the unrest.

The crisis has already claimed political casualties: several ministers resigned this week, culminating in the resignation of Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli. His exit has added further uncertainty to Nepal’s already fragile political landscape.

India’s response

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said it is monitoring the situation closely and working with Nepalese authorities to ensure the safety of Indian nationals. Indian embassy officials in Kathmandu are assisting stranded citizens with shelter, food, and evacuation logistics.

The incident has raised concerns over the security of Indian pilgrims visiting Nepal’s cultural and religious sites, particularly Pashupatinath Temple, which attracts lakhs of devotees annually.

Conclusion

With the political situation in Nepal in flux and violence spreading across multiple cities, Indian authorities are prioritising the safety of their nationals. The attack on pilgrims has highlighted the vulnerability of visitors during civil unrest, underlining the need for swift evacuation measures and robust diplomatic engagement between New Delhi and Kathmandu.