Matters India Reporter
Siliguri, September 12, 2025 – In a rapidly developing situation in Nepal, widespread anti-government protests have not only led to the resignation of Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli, but have also been marked by a strong and visible backlash against Indian news media.
This sentiment escalated into a physical incident September 11, where an Indian reporter was reportedly manhandled and shouted at with anti-India slogans by a group of protesters.
While the “Gen Z” led protests are primarily about domestic issues like corruption and a social media ban, a recurring theme has been the public’s anger at the perceived biases of certain Indian news channels.
The Incident: A Journalist Targeted on the Streets
The September 11, incident underscores the simmering tension. An Indian reporter and a cameraperson, covering the ongoing demonstrations in Kathmandu, were surrounded by a group of protesters. Eyewitnesses and video footage show the protesters chanting “Go back Indian media” and other anti-India slogans. The situation turned physical as the reporter was reportedly manhandled before police intervened to de-escalate the confrontation. This follows a trend of verbal confrontations and hostile behavior directed at Indian journalists since the protests began.
Why is Indian Media a Target?
The anti-Indian media sentiment stems from a perception that their coverage: Trivializes the Protests. Protesters believe their movement is being misrepresented by Indian media as being solely about the social media ban, ignoring the deeper issues of systemic corruption, unemployment, and political elite capture. They feel their genuine grievances are being simplified and trivialized for a foreign audience.
A Nepali activist, who wished to remain anonymous, spoke about this frustration: “The Indian media is not covering our story; they’re creating their own. They’re making it a spectacle about a social media ban, while we are out here for our future,” the activist said.
Protester Bishnu Thapa further emphasized the deeper roots, stating, “I am here to protest about the massive corruption in our country. The country has gotten so bad that for us youths, there is no ground for us to stay.” This highlights the dire economic situation that many Nepalis feel is being overlooked.
Adopts a “Big Brother” Stance: Many Nepalis are sensitive to what they view as a condescending attitude from India, their larger neighbor. The media’s reporting is seen as a reflection of this, with some suggesting a narrative that downplays Nepal’s sovereignty and agency in its own internal affairs.
Focuses on Indian Interests: There’s a strong belief that Indian media is framing the unrest from a narrow, India-centric perspective, often highlighting the risks to India’s border security and strategic interests rather than focusing on the plight of the Nepalese people.
A Historical Precedent Fuels Current Resentment
This is not the first time that anti-Indian media sentiment has surged in Nepal during a national crisis. A similar backlash occurred in 2015 following the devastating earthquakes. At that time, Indian news channels were widely criticized for their sensationalist and insensitive reporting, as well as for what was perceived as an attempt to glorify India’s aid efforts rather than simply reporting on the humanitarian crisis.
A Nepalese youth, recalling the 2015 coverage, remarked, “We saw it then, and we’re seeing it now. They acted like a PR agency for the Indian government’s rescue efforts instead of focusing on our suffering.”
This long-standing resentment over what is perceived as a “big brother” attitude is a key reason why the anger against Indian media has been so swift and strong. The hashtag #GoHomeIndianMedia trended globally during the earthquake, showing the depth of the frustration, a sentiment that resonates with current events.
Current Political Context and The Battle for Narrative
The current protests have been fueled by a government ban on over two dozen social media platforms, including Facebook and X. While the ban has since been lifted, the movement has grown to demand fundamental changes, including the dissolution of parliament and the prosecution of corrupt officials.
With the Nepal Army now in charge of security, the country faces a political vacuum. As the situation unfolds, the reaction against Indian media remains a notable and consistent element of the unrest, underscoring the complex and often fraught relationship between the two nations.
This is not just a protest on the streets but a battle for the narrative, with protesters actively chanting slogans like “Stop corruption, not social media” and using social media to amplify their message and counter what they see as a biased narrative from across the border.