We are scared even if one call doesn’t reach home: Nepali diaspora in India

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.”

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.”