Nepal Protests Spark Misrepresentation as Religious Uprising in India

Protests in Nepal led to the ousting of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and the burning of government buildings, but the unrest has been misrepresented in neighbouring India as a religious uprising. The demonstrations erupted in response to a ban on social media and allegations of government corruption, with many young protesters identifying themselves as part of the “Gen Z” movement.

The situation escalated dramatically on Monday, with protesters setting fire to Oli’s residence and government properties in the capital city of Kathmandu. As the protests gained momentum, allegations began circulating in India, suggesting that the unrest was a demand for a “Hindu state.” Some Indian broadcasters, including the right-wing Zee News, claimed that rioters attempted to vandalise the Pashupatinath temple, a significant Hindu site in Nepal. An anchor on the channel stated, “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 were echoed by members of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Jivesh Mishra, a BJP member from eastern Bihar state, stated, “An attack on a temple is an attack on (the) Hindu faith.” The narrative spread rapidly across social media platforms, with right-wing influencers amplifying the claims to their followers.

Fact-checking efforts revealed that the footage cited by Indian media was misattributed. Investigations by AFP confirmed that the video of individuals climbing the temple’s gate was part of a religious ritual called Naxal Bhagwati Jatra, filmed weeks prior to the protests. Additionally, KN Swami, a monk at the Pashupatinath temple, reassured the public through social media that everything was peaceful at the site, stating, “I am currently inside the temple, and everything is peaceful here.”

Claims of a religious motivation behind the protests lack substantiation. Hundreds of social media posts suggested without evidence that “anti-Hindu forces and Islamists” were behind the demonstrations to attack religious sites. This narrative is particularly concerning, given that Nepal has been a secular republic since 2008.

The protests have sparked a resurgence of old visuals, misleadingly presented as evidence of current unrest. Archived footage of past protests advocating for a Hindu monarchy was shared as if it represented the current “Gen Z” movement. Some posts even claimed that demonstrators wanted the controversial Hindu monk Yogi Adityanath as Nepal’s new prime minister.

Across social media, hashtags advocating for a “Hindu Nation” gained traction in India, warning of potential youth uprisings similar to those seen in Nepal. Prashant Das, a senior research fellow at South Asian University, commented on 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 added that speculation and rumours are natural responses in such turbulent situations.

As the situation continues to evolve, the protests in Nepal highlight the complex interplay of politics and religion in the region, as well as the challenges posed by misinformation in today’s digital landscape. With ongoing unrest, the implications may extend beyond Nepal’s borders, affecting perceptions and reactions in neighbouring countries.