Unrest in Kathmandu leaves Nepali diaspora in Delhi fearful and uncertain

Delhi: Within the cramped lanes of Vasant Vihar, many Nepali nationals in Delhi have built their lives over the years. Yet, even as they find belonging in the city, distance from families across the border weighs heavily, especially as violent protests sweep Nepal.

On September 10, the Nepal Army imposed nationwide restrictions and a curfew following deadly anti-government demonstrations in Kathmandu. The protests forced the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, leaving several buildings ablaze and the nation on edge.

Families divided by borders

In Nepali Camp, resident Savitri Lepcha said that while conditions in Kathmandu had improved slightly, the unease remained.

“While the curfew is still on, there has been a sense of unease that is prevailing in Kathmandu. I have tried reaching out to them and we have been able to talk. However, my mother and my siblings are there, and not being able to be there with them is only amping up the tension that we are contending with,” she said.

Her neighbour, Tarun Thapa, who runs a food stall in Vasant Kunj, echoed this anxiety. For a decade, he has supported his wife and children in Pokhara from afar.

“I did talk to my son yesterday. The situation in Pokhara is fairly manageable but it is still a cause for concern considering the fact that there is no way to ascertain the future of the country. Moreover, I do not know when I will be able to meet my family next, because I do not know how the entire scenario will unfold and if I will be able to return from there. Our livelihood depends on this,” he said.

Struggles to stay connected

At Majnu Ka Tilla, restaurant owner Karan Chhetri said, “My mother is here with me, but my siblings are in Kathmandu, which is the worst affected. We’re deeply worried about their safety.”

Chhetri explained that contacting them was difficult due to poor network connections.

“We’ve tried reaching them via Messenger and WhatsApp, but the signal is weak. We’ve also tried Viber. They said riots were happening yesterday, and people can’t even go out for essentials,” he said, urging others to pray for his “beloved country.”

He added that while some staff members at his Thakali restaurant had families in calmer villages, they too were anxious. “Even so, they’re anxious about their families. The villages are peaceful, but there’s still fear,” Chhetri said.

Another café owner in Majnu Ka Tilla, Prafool Chhetri, who has lived in Delhi for 18 years, said his two daughters were in Nepal. “I’m worried about how my daughters are coping there. My wife is here with me, so no one is there to look after them,” he said.

He spoke to one of his daughters earlier in the day, who told him she had joined the protests.

“I’m really concerned for them. I’ve been praying for their safety, wondering how they’re managing in the chaos. It’s hard to stay calm here, but I feel helpless,” he said.

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Students in limbo

Students across Delhi are also grappling with uncertainty. A master’s student at Shri Ram College of Commerce said he had cancelled his plans to travel home near Kathmandu for the Dussehra festival after his family advised him to stay put.

Another Delhi University student, who lives with her immediate family in Delhi, worried about her grandparents and extended relatives still in Nepal. “I’m deeply concerned for them. Every day we hear of protests turning violent, and it’s distressing not knowing how safe they are,” she said.

A first-year student admitted the violence had left him shaken. He remarked that he never imagined students would be killed for speaking out.

“It feels like the country is being torn apart,” he said. Though he once encouraged his friends to visit Nepal, he confessed, “Now I’m heartbroken by what’s happening,” adding that he calls his family every few hours to check on their safety.

A PhD scholar at South Asian University, previously at Jawaharlal Nehru University, said she was disturbed despite her family living in a relatively safe rural area.

“When your country is suffering, you feel powerless being so far away. The violence was tragic, but I hope the protests pave the way for something positive,” she said.

Another student at Delhi University said he had indefinitely postponed his trip home. “I was meant to see my parents later this month, but I can’t take that risk now. All I do is wait for messages from family and friends, hoping they’re safe,” he said.

Protests escalate into crisis

The so-called “Gen Z” protests in Nepal, initially sparked by a government ban on social media, have since grown into a broader movement reflecting public anger against corruption and political neglect under Oli’s government.

Though the ban was lifted on September 8, protests only intensified. Demonstrators stormed government buildings, setting the parliament and homes of leaders ablaze. At least 19 people were killed in violent clashes, forcing Oli to resign after two consecutive days of unrest.