Rajasthan Pilgrims Stranded in Nepal Amid Gen Z-Led Unrest, Violence in Pokhara Raises Alarm
Image source: IANS
Pilgrimage Turns Into Nightmare
Udaipur, Sep 10 (TheTrendingPeople.com) — What began as a spiritual journey for a group of pilgrims from Rajasthan has turned into a harrowing ordeal. A group of 31 devotees from Udaipur, who had embarked on a long pilgrimage from the Ram Temple in Ayodhya to the Pashupati Nath temple in Kathmandu, now finds itself stranded in Pokhara, Nepal, amid spiraling violence triggered by Gen Z-led protests.
The unrest, now stretching into its third day, has engulfed several parts of Nepal, leaving public property vandalized and tourists fearful for their safety.
Stranded Amid Flames and Fear
The pilgrims were scheduled to return to Udaipur via Kolkata and Gangasagar after offering prayers at Pashupati Nath on Tuesday morning. However, violent protests and mass arson broke out across Pokhara soon after.
Eyewitness accounts paint a chilling picture. “The situation is worrisome in Nepal as youth are unrelenting in their stir over corruption and the social media ban. The situation has turned precarious here, with various incidents of arson and vandalism out in the open,” said Anil Singhal, a local BJP leader traveling with the group.
Singhal’s Wednesday flight was cancelled, leaving the group stranded. In a self-recorded video, he sought to reassure families back home, adding, “Tourists are safe here. Nepalese people are not doing harm to us.”
Another pilgrim, Bhagwatilal Menaria, said they were on their way back after their temple visit when the unrest erupted. “We saw mobs setting public places ablaze. It was frightening, especially because we had no way to move out. We were advised to stay inside our hotel and contact the Indian Embassy.”
Larger Crisis Looms: Hundreds of Tourists Stranded
The plight of the Udaipur group is part of a larger crisis unfolding in Nepal. Reports suggest that nearly 700 tourists from Rajasthan’s Jaipur and Udaipur districts are currently stranded in different parts of Nepal, including Pokhara and Kathmandu. Travelers from Bhilwara and other Rajasthan cities are also reported to be stuck.
Earlier in the day, a video of an Indian woman surfaced on social media, narrating her distress. “I request the Indian Embassy to help us. Please help as many people as you can,” she pleaded, adding that demonstrators were torching vehicles and property, and that even tourists were not being spared in some places.
The Unrest: What Sparked Nepal’s Turmoil
The protests sweeping Nepal are being described as Gen Z-led demonstrations against corruption and the government’s decision to impose a social media ban. Anger among youth, who form the largest demographic in the country, has boiled over into widespread demonstrations, roadblocks, and incidents of arson.
Public frustration with systemic corruption and lack of job opportunities had already been simmering for months. The trigger came when authorities clamped down on social media, a move seen as an attempt to silence dissent. The crackdown has backfired, sparking a wave of violent protests.
For tourists, this unrest has transformed Nepal — a country known for its serene mountains, temples, and spiritual tourism — into a zone of uncertainty and danger.
Embassy Response and Safety Advisories
The stranded pilgrims have been advised by local authorities and the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu to remain in their hotels until the situation stabilizes. Embassy officials are reportedly in touch with Indian nationals in Pokhara and other affected areas.
“The Indian Embassy has told us to stay put. We are waiting for further instructions and hoping the situation calms down soon,” said Menaria.
Meanwhile, travel operators are facing mounting pressure from families in Rajasthan. Concerned relatives have been seeking updates, worried about the safety of their loved ones.
Why It Matters
The crisis highlights two critical issues:
- Tourism and Safety: Nepal relies heavily on tourism for its economy. With hundreds of Indian pilgrims and travelers stranded, the violence could severely impact Nepal’s reputation as a safe travel destination.
- India-Nepal Relations: With a large number of Indian nationals caught in the turmoil, New Delhi is closely monitoring the situation. Any harm to Indian tourists could strain bilateral ties, adding diplomatic urgency to the crisis.
The situation is also a stark reminder of the vulnerability of cross-border tourism during times of political and social unrest.
Voices from the Ground
Despite the fear, some stranded pilgrims tried to remain positive. “We are safe so far, thanks to the hospitality of local Nepalese people,” Singhal reiterated. “But the uncertainty is unsettling. We hope the violence ends soon so we can return home safely.”
Others echoed similar concerns. “We came here to pray, not to see such violence,” said one elderly devotee from the Udaipur group. “It is painful to see such chaos in a country so deeply connected to our faith.”
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople.com
The unfolding events in Nepal have left hundreds of Indian pilgrims, including those from Rajasthan’s Udaipur and Jaipur, stranded in an unexpected crisis. While the Indian Embassy has assured safety and urged calm, the incident underscores the risks posed by sudden political unrest in tourist-dependent nations. For now, families in Rajasthan and beyond wait anxiously for the safe return of their loved ones, while Nepal struggles to restore peace amid its youth-led uprising