‘I Didn’t Fear For My Life’: Indian Tourist’s Account From Nepal’s Worst Unrest In Decades

Last Updated:September 13, 2025, 16:10 IST

An Indian tourist in Nepal shares her account of the turmoil, recalling that protesters were focused on their cause and never meant to harm ordinary people

Nepal’s youth protests began on September 8. (Photo Credit: X)

Nepal has been gripped by its worst unrest in decades, with more than 50 people killed and over 1,300 injured, according to local reports. The protests, led largely by Generation Z, forced Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to resign this week, making way for Sushila Karki, a former chief justice, to become the country’s first female prime minister.

Caught in the middle of the turmoil was an Indian tourist, who told News18 that while she saw smoke, roadblocks and even had her car repeatedly searched, she and her companions never feared for their lives.

‘Within The Blink Of An Eye, Things Became Worse’

The traveller, part of a small group of women with a driver and guide, recalled how quickly calm gave way to chaos during a sightseeing trip in Kathmandu.

“Initially, it was calm. Students were on the road, but there was no destruction. Then, within the blink of an eye, things became worse," she said. Their driver, whom she described as “the epitome of calm and peace," pulled the car into a bylane and parked under a tree as they waited for the situation to ease.

From inside, the group watched plumes of smoke rise “in big balloons" as vehicles and debris burned. Blocked roads forced them to turn back repeatedly, stretching what should have been a six-kilometre ride back to their hotel into nearly twelve.

Her experience mirrored what was unfolding across the capital. That same day, protests around Nepal’s parliament spiralled into violent clashes, with security forces opening fire on students, a crackdown that left dozens dead and hundreds more injured.

The Long Wait

As the hours passed, their driver and guide checked the situation on the roads. A biker passing by agreed to help, ferrying some members of the group to the hotel in turns. “We just waited it out, hoping things would calm down," she said. “From the car, we could hear the uproar and see the smoke going up and up."

By evening, as curfew hours wound down, they cautiously made their way back to the hotel, rerouting around burning barricades.

‘They Were Looking For An Escaping Neta’

The car was stopped “a number of times" by protesters. “They would climb in and see that there were only women and one gentleman sitting. Once they made us open the boot, just to make sure no one was hiding there," she recalled.

She said one protester, who seemed drunk, took away their carton of water bottles, “probably because they were all thirsty from all the shouting." But she insisted no one tried to harm them.

“They did not want our money or belongings," she said. “They were very focused on their problems and on what they wanted to mete out to the culprits. They were looking for an escaping neta. They were not interested in harming ordinary people."

That clarity is at the heart of the movement sweeping Nepal. What began as anger over a sudden social media blackout has widened into a generational uprising against corruption, inequality and joblessness. Nepal’s youth unemployment stood at 20.8% in 2024, according to the World Bank, and a viral backlash against so-called “Nepo Kids" — politicians’ children flaunting privilege online — only deepened the frustration.

Groups such as Hami Nepal coordinated rallies using encrypted apps despite the ban, while hashtags like #Nepobaby and slogans such as “The Final Revolution – We Are Punching Up" captured the mood of young demonstrators.

Calm At Hotel And Airport

Even as clashes raged in Kathmandu, she said her group never felt unsafe. “Our phones were working, Wi-Fi was there in the hotel, and the staff remained calm throughout," she recalled. “Even at the airport, there was no disruption. All in all, we didn’t fear for our lives."

Their only disruption came in the form of a delay: Nepal Airlines cancelled its September 10 service to Mumbai, forcing them to wait until September 12. By the time they finally flew out, the country had a new interim prime minister and a dramatically altered political landscape.

From Oli’s Fall To Karki’s Rise

Mounting criticism of the crackdown and resignations from several ministers forced Oli to step down. To end the deadlock, Nepal turned to Sushila Karki, a respected former chief justice known for her anti-corruption stance.

Her appointment on Friday followed days of tense discussions between President Ramchandra Paudel, Army Chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel, and youth leaders at the heart of the protests. Other names considered included Kathmandu mayor Balendra Shah, former electricity board chief Kulman Ghising, and Dharan mayor Harka Raj Sampang Rai.

Karki, 73, is Nepal’s only female chief justice and is admired for her integrity. She was sworn in at the presidential residence, Sheetal Niwas, after Parliament was dissolved to allow a constitutional adjustment. She will lead an interim council of ministers until elections in March 2026.

Her elevation is being hailed as historic, but observers say she faces immediate challenges: calming public anger, balancing political demands and responding to international scrutiny.

Where Things Stand

Curfews in Kathmandu have been eased, but scars of the violence remain. Protests also spread to cities like Itahari and Chandrapur, where police used rubber bullets and tear gas. The UN and Amnesty International have called for transparent investigations into the killings.

For the Indian tourist, however, the defining memory is the clarity of the young protesters. “The protesters were clear in their motive," she said. “They wanted governance, not chaos."

Karishma Jain

Karishma Jain, Chief Sub Editor at News18.com, writes and edits opinion pieces on a variety of subjects, including Indian politics and policy, culture and the arts, technology and social change. Follow her @kar...Read More

Karishma Jain, Chief Sub Editor at News18.com, writes and edits opinion pieces on a variety of subjects, including Indian politics and policy, culture and the arts, technology and social change. Follow her @kar...

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