A Burning Nepal and Other Views from the Neighborly Media

India, our next-door neighbor, is a supersized democracy brimming with more than 1.4 billion people. At any given day, media outlets of the world's most populous country have their hands full, especially at a time like this when the world’s sole superpower has not ceased to surprise humanity, not even for a day, and take it a welcome break. The constant tensions and occasional bonhomie with the arch rival, China and another rival, Pakistan, and other developments in and around that country keep its media occupied 24/7.

Still, media outlets in India covered the unfolding developments extensively, helping us read the mindset of at least a section of that sea of humanity. 

Here’s a sample of how some of the key Indian media outlets covered Friday’s protests the same day.

India Today: The supporters of the kingship hit the streets yesterday (Friday). Violence clashes erupted between the protesters and police, with two sides pelting stones at each other. To control the situation, police fired teargas canisters and resorted to lathi-charge later.  

In the violent clashes, two people have died. Police have arrested dozens of royalist leaders. Curfew was imposed in parts of Kathmandu to control the situation.

India TV: Nepal-India relations go back to the Treta Yug, when Lord Ram of Ayodhya and Sita Mata (Mother Sita), the ‘Queen’ of Janakpur, got married. The Roti-Beti ties have been going on smoothly since then.

In Nepal, violence flared up during a protest for the restoration of the kingship. 
Following violence, a curfew is in place in Kathmandu and a shoot-at-sight order has been issued to the (national) army.

Two people died in the protest, incidents of arson were reported in several places. In the protest demanding the restoration of the monarchy, 40 different organizations took part.

The protesting organizations have issued a week’s ultimatum to the government. They have threatened to intensify their protests and opt for more violent protests if the government ignores their demands.

During the monarchy, Nepal used to be a Hindu state. After its abolition, Nepal became a secular state. Seventeen years after the declaration of the secular republic, the demand for the restoration of the monarchy has gained pitch, after the former king’s return (from Pokhara on March 9).

News 18 India: Thousands hit the streets of Kathmandu demanding the restoration of the monarchy.

Police lathi-charged protesters and several people were reported injured in the police action. 

The incumbent government has crossed all limits of corruption, so the protesters are calling for a return of the former king, Gyanendra Shah, to power and restoration of the Hindu state.

The protesting parties have given Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli a week’s ultimatum, telling him to quit or face an “earthquake”.

TV9 Bharatvarsh: How Nepal turned into the Burning Nepal? 
 

King Gyanendra maybe arrested anytime. 

A large number of people have turned up in support of the ex-king, calling for the restoration of the monarchy. The king is under nazarbandh (house arrest).

Times Now: Supporters of the ex-king clashed with police in riot gears amid calls for restoration of Hinduism as the state religion. They vandalized buildings and set them ablaze. Clashes occurred between police personnel and protesters in Kathmandu, and a curfew was imposed in regions.     


A free advice: The government would do well to closely monitor reports on neighborly and global media about Nepal, especially in a fluid situation like this when falsehood flies fast and goes viral. Who knows? This habit of closely monitoring the media may make our extremely competent government machinery more competent and also prompt it to make sure that the reports are based on facts and nothing else.