Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Sep 12: As Nepal is gripped by one of its most intense waves of political unrest in recent memory, the emotional toll is being felt far beyond its borders. In Nalasopara, Mumbai, a Nepali family is caught in a storm of anxiety and helplessness as news of violence, chaos, and casualties continues to pour in from back home.
Kamala Gautam, a young woman from the Nepali diaspora in India, spoke with deep anguish about the rapidly deteriorating situation in her homeland. “I live in Nalasopara, but my entire family is in Nepal. Recently, several areas, including Beni, Kathmandu, and Pokhara, have suffered significant damage. The situation is very bad,” she said, visibly shaken. “My parents and relatives keep calling. Everyone is terrified. I want to go there, but the circumstances won’t allow it.”
Kamala’s distress mirrors the sentiments of many in the Nepali community living abroad, who are watching from afar as their country is swept into violent anti-corruption protests led largely by the country’s Gen Z population. What began as a reaction to a temporary government ban on social media has snowballed into a national uprising against political dysfunction and deep-rooted corruption.
What started in Kathmandu has now spread to Pokhara, Butwal, Birgunj, and other major cities. The government’s crackdown has been severe, with at least 31 reported deaths and over 1,000 injured in violent clashes between protesters and security forces.
Kamala said the unrest has left her and others in the diaspora feeling powerless. “The situation is deteriorating by the day. We are constantly worried about the safety of our families back home. It’s painful to be far away at a time like this,” she said.
As tensions rise, political shifts appear imminent. Former Chief Justice Sushila Karki is reportedly set to be sworn in as Interim Prime Minister, possibly as early as Friday afternoon, after days of speculation. Previously, energy reformer and ex-NEA chief Kulman Ghising had been floated as a likely candidate for the role.
For now, uncertainty looms over Nepal’s future — and for families like Kamala's, the wait for stability is fraught with fear and longing.