Nepali Diaspora in India Express Deep Anxiety Amid Deadly Protests in Nepal

The Nepali diaspora in India is living in fear as violent anti-corruption protests in Nepal spiral into chaos, leaving at least 19 people dead and more than 400 others injured. The unrest has forced Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli to resign, with angry mobs torching the homes of government ministers and attacking political offices in Kathmandu.

In cities like Pune and Delhi, Nepali students and professionals say their lives have been consumed by worry for their families back home. “Every 10 minutes we are calling home, and if a call doesn’t go through, we panic. Even rumours of internet shutdowns spread terror among us,” a student in Pune told reporters.

Another student explained that the protests, which had been simmering since January, stemmed from widespread corruption and frustration among young people. While many welcomed Oli’s resignation, they fear the violence could undo the hope of genuine political change.

“We wanted reform, not destruction. But now mobs are breaking into prisons, burning tires, and attacking businesses. It feels like everything is slipping into anarchy,” she said.

For Nepali diaspora members in India, the crisis is personal. Many left Nepal in search of education, stability, and opportunities they felt were absent at home. Yet, the turmoil has reawakened old wounds. A Nepali lawyer based in Delhi described the mood bluntly: “The entire community across the world is shaken. Even while we continue our lives here, our hearts are always back in Nepal, worrying if our brothers, sisters, and parents are safe.”

Although Nepal has lifted its social media ban, students say the fear of being cut off from their families remains ever-present. VPNs became a lifeline for many who needed to stay updated during the blackout.

The diaspora community is now calling for calm, maturity, and a path forward that honours the sacrifices of those who have lost their lives. But as Kathmandu burns and uncertainty deepens, the Nepali diaspora in India says they feel helpless—split between safety in their adopted country and constant fear for loved ones in their homeland.