We are scared even if one call doesn’t reach home: Nepali diaspora in India
At least 19 people were killed and over 400 were injured after police opened fire on protesting youth. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned on Tuesday and houses of many ministers were set on fire by mobs.
Written by Soham Shah
Pune | September 9, 2025 10:13 PM IST
4 min read
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A protester throws a photograph of Nepal Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli outside the Singha Durbar, the seat of Nepal's government's various ministries and offices, during a protest against a social media ban and corruption in Kathmandu, Nepal, Tuesday (AP)
With Nepal witnessing chaos after protests against internet freedom and corruption turned deadly on Monday, Nepali students and diaspora in India find themselves anxious about the safety of their families. At least 19 people were killed and over 400 were injured after police opened fire on protesting youth. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned on Tuesday and houses of many ministers were set on fire by mobs.
A student in Pune told The Indian Express, “Every 10 minutes we are calling back home and if a call does not go through, we are so scared. That is happening with every Nepali student that is away from home now. Yesterday there was speculation that there was going to be a blackout throughout the nation and the internet would be shut down. For all the Nepali youth outside studying or working, this terror exists. At least I am in India and can call home using normal numbers. For people farther away it’s even scarier.”
The student added, “People say that you are a student and out (of the country). But for us it is still our country and to see things from a third-person perspective and be anxious every moment and not know what is happening is even scarier.”
Describing how people were in a state of terror back home, the student said, “Everyone is in a state of terror. Kathmandu is a very small city and everywhere there is someone or the other related to politics, or active and vocal about things. People have started finding monetary and political reasons to target and attack other people. Things are being destroyed in a fit of rage and everything that was being fought for is lost.”
Another Nepali student studying in Pune said, “This was not a one-day protest but a very long protest. There was corruption in every sector. Two-three protests have taken place since January. We are happy that K.P. Oli and other ministers have resigned. But now it is time to act maturely. Some leaders have been taken out from jail and the crowd has gone wild.”
She further said, “All my friends are safe but those who lost their lives were also our brothers and sisters. Even my most nonchalant friends, who I could never imagine posting about politics, have become very involved. The social media ban is lifted now, but even before that they were using VPNs to post.”
A Nepali lawyer based in Delhi said, “The entire Nepali community across the world is shaken. Most of us left Nepal because there were no real opportunities to grow, and now all we can do is worry for our families and friends back home. Every day, there’s this constant fear in our hearts wondering if our brothers, sisters, parents are safe. Even while we go about our lives here, a part of us is always back there, thinking about them.”
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Another Nepali citizen who graduated from a Pune college a few years ago told The Indian Express, “A mob went into a prison and broke out a prisoner today. This is absolutely wrong. We were protesting to have some change and end corruption but now it is turning into chaos. Some business houses have also been attacked along with political parties’ offices. Every single chowk around my town had tires burning today. I could see it from the terrace of my house. There is also so much rumour and speculation, we are unsure what is going to happen.”
Soham Shah is a Correspondent with The Indian Express, based in Pune. A journalism graduate with a background in fact-checking, he brings a meticulous and research-oriented approach to his current reporting.
Professional Background
Role: Correspondent coverig education and city affairs in Pune.
Specialization: His primary beat is education, but he also maintains a strong focus on civic issues, public health, human rights, and state politics.
Key Strength: Soham focuses on data-driven reporting on school and college education, government reports, and public infrastructure.
Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025)
His late 2025 work highlights a transition from education-centric reporting to hard-hitting investigative and human-rights stories:
1. Investigations & Governance
"Express Impact: Mother's name now a must to download birth certificate from PMC site" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on a significant policy change by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) following his earlier reports on gender inclusivity in administrative documents.
"44-Acre Mahar Land Controversy: In June, Pune official sought land eviction at Pawar son firm behest" (Nov 9, 2025): An investigative piece on real estate irregularities involving high-profile political families.
2. Education & Campus Life
Faculty crisis at SPPU hits research, admin work: 62% of govt-sanctioned posts vacant, over 75% in many depts (Sept 12, 2025): An investigative piece on professor vacancies at Savitribai Phule Pune University.
"Maharashtra’s controversial third language policy: Why National Curriculum Framework recommends a third language from Class 6" (July 2): This detailed piece unpacks reasons behind why the state's move to introduce a third language from class 1 was controversial.
"Decline in number of schools, teachers in Maharashtra but student enrolment up: Report" (Jan 2025): Analyzing discrepancies in the state's education data despite rising student numbers.
3. Human Rights & Social Issues
"Aanchal Mamidawar was brave after her family killed her boyfriend" (Dec 17, 2025): A deeply personal and hard-hitting opinion piece/column on the "crime of love" and honor killings in modern India.
"'People disrespect the disabled': Meet the man who has become face of racist attacks on Indians" (Nov 29, 2025): A profile of a Pune resident with severe physical deformities who became the target of global online harassment, highlighting issues of disability and cyber-bullying.
Signature Style
Soham is known for his civil-liberties lens. His reporting frequently champions the rights of the marginalized—whether it's students fighting for campus democracy, victims of regressive social practices, or residents struggling with crumbling urban infrastructure (as seen in his "Breathless Pune" contributions). He is adept at linking hyper-local Pune issues to larger national conversations about law and liberty.
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