Nepal Protests Spark Misrepresentation as Religious Uprising

Protests in Nepal have led to the ousting of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and the burning of government buildings, igniting a wave of unrest across the nation. The demonstrations began in Kathmandu on March 4, 2024, driven by allegations of government corruption and a ban on social media. However, the narrative surrounding these events has taken a different direction in neighbouring India, where some are framing the protests as a religious uprising.

In India, various social media platforms and broadcasters have mischaracterized the protests as a movement demanding a “Hindu state.” Some reports suggest that demonstrators vandalized the revered Pashupatinath temple, a significant Hindu site in Nepal. A report from the right-wing Zee News television channel claimed that rioters attempted to damage the temple, stating, “Some rioters, hiding within the crowd of protesters, attempted to vandalise the temple, and it was only after this incident that the army was deployed.”

These claims have been amplified by politicians and influencers. Jivesh Mishra, a member of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in eastern Bihar, asserted, “An attack on a temple is an attack on (the) Hindu faith.” However, investigations by AFP have debunked these allegations, revealing that the footage cited was taken weeks before the protests during a religious ritual known as Naxal Bhagwati Jatra. The temple’s chief monk, KN Swami, confirmed via social media that the temple remained peaceful during the protests, stating, “I am currently inside the temple, and everything is peaceful here.”

The unrest in Nepal escalated after a violent crackdown on protesters, leading to widespread anger among the youth, who have identified themselves as the “Gen Z” movement. Demonstrators set fire to government buildings and called for systemic change, catalyzing a nationwide response. Following the violence, KP Sharma Oli resigned as Prime Minister.

Despite the clear motivations behind the protests, numerous social media posts have claimed without evidence that they were “instigated and funded” by “anti-Hindu forces and Islamists.” This narrative has gained traction, particularly among right-wing commentators, who have misleadingly shared old footage of past rallies as evidence of the current protests being religiously motivated.

The situation has drawn comparisons to unrest in Bangladesh, where a student-led revolt recently ousted long-time leader Sheikh Hasina. Some posts have suggested that the protests in Nepal aim to install India’s prominent Hindu monk Yogi Adityanath as Nepal’s new Prime Minister, further distorting the realities of the situation.

As the discourse around the protests continues to evolve, hashtags advocating for a “Hindu Nation” have gained popularity across social media in India. These posts caution that similar youth uprisings may occur in the country, echoing sentiments from the BJP.

Prashant Das, a senior research fellow at South Asian University, noted the rapid spread of misinformation, stating, “The urge to break news fast in India is higher, and that led to misinformation from their side.” He emphasized that the current climate is rife with speculation and rumors—common reactions in times of upheaval.

The ongoing situation in Nepal highlights the complexities of political unrest and the role of social media in shaping narratives. As the protests continue, the focus remains on the demands for government accountability and the genuine grievances of the Nepalese people, rather than the distorted interpretations emerging across the border.