"India should learn a lesson" from Nepal protests, says Saamna editorial

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], September 10 (ANI): The 'fire' in Nepal is from the spark of unemployment and anger, and India should "learn a lesson" from it, an editorial published in Saamna said on Wednesday, cautioning that the problems of unemployment, 'destruction of democracy,' increasing politics of caste and religion are very dangerous for the country.
"The fire in Nepal is the spark of hunger and unemployment. India should learn a lesson from this. There has been a destruction of employment in India. 80 crore people have to survive on five to ten kilos of 'ration' given free by the government. Modi-Shah are winning elections by destroying democracy. All the pillars of democracy seem to be collapsing. Politics of religion and caste has reached its peak. All these disorders are dangerous for the country," Saamna's editorial said.
Pointing to the earlier unrest and protests in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and other neighbouring countries, the editorial mentioned how the problems of hunger, unemployment, and corruption were not solved, making Parliament "useless to the people."
"Revolts broke out in almost every country situated on the border. The same situation is in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Pakistan. The people overthrew the governments of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh because corruption had become unbearable. When the spark of self-respect ignites in the minds of the people, it does not take long for it to flare up. Then people do not even care about guns and cannons," Saamna's piece said.
Accusing the Centre for not maintaining relations with Nepal, the editorial mentioned, "Today the Prime Minister of Nepal goes to China first and then Pakistan. This is a failure of India's foreign policy. Hundreds of Chinese teachers are currently in Nepal and the people of Nepal are learning Chinese language from them. Earlier the color of Nepal was saffron. Now it has completely become bright red and the Indian government could not stop this change."
According to the editorial, the closer relations with China has "emboldened" Nepal to claim that India is "illegally" occupying land of the country.
Nepal has laid claim to Lipulekh Pass, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura, and has earlier objected to resumption border trade being carried out between India and China through Lipulekh. The Centre in response has called Kathmandu's territorial claim over the trade route as "untenable" and not based on "historical facts and evidence."
Amid the 'Gen Z' protests in Nepal, a widespread movement led by young people, primarily students, demanded accountability and transparency from the government.
The protests began on September 8 in Kathmandu and other major cities, including Pokhara, Butwal, and Birgunj, after the government imposed a ban on major social media platforms, citing tax revenue and cybersecurity concerns. Building on this anger, protesters are demanding an end to institutionalised corruption and favouritism in governance.
As tensions mounted, the situation quickly escalated on the ground. At least 19 people were killed and 500 were injured in clashes with security forces. A curfew was imposed in several cities, including Kathmandu, to control the situation.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has issued a travel advisory for Indian citizens in view of the prevailing situation in Nepal. (ANI)