Rajasthan MLA Ritu Banawat is stuck in Nepal after joining the sacred Kailash Mansarovar Yatra with her husband. The trip turned tense due to massive violence and unrest sweeping through the country, including Kathmandu, forcing her and her group to hunker down in Purang village near the Nepal-China border.
Rajasthan Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani shared the update in the assembly on Wednesday. He confirmed that Bayana MLA Banawat, part of a 98-pilgrim team that started the yatra on September 3, can’t leave because all domestic and international flights in Nepal are grounded. “The state government is staying in touch with the Indian Embassy to get her back safely,” Devnani said. He added that as soon as things calm down, evacuation will kick off without delay.
The chaos in Nepal has ground daily life to a halt, leaving thousands of tourists and Indian pilgrims trapped in hotels. Reports of arson and clashes have everyone on edge, with markets shut and food supplies running low. The Rajasthan government, along with India’s Ministry of External Affairs and the embassy in Kathmandu, is closely watching the situation. Families of those stuck are advised to keep checking in with officials for the latest.
Banawat herself shared a reassuring video message earlier. She revealed that Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat called her personally, promising full support for a safe return. “We’re hopeful to fly back to India from Kathmandu on Thursday if the unrest eases,” she said.
She’s not alone—many other Indians on similar pilgrimages face the same nightmare. Take Pankaj Chitara, a petrol pump owner from Barmer, who traveled with a 50-member group from Chaksu starting August 22. They finished their Kailash Mansarovar Yatra joyfully but hit trouble after landing in Kathmandu on September 8. “We heard explosions right away, finished immigration, but then flights got cancelled,” Chitara told us. “Arson is everywhere, and we’re terrified, stuck in our hotels. Army patrols are out with shoot-to-kill orders for troublemakers. Phone signals are spotty, and food is iffy.”
Chitara noted that locals seem calmer than the panicking tourists. His group had crossed from China-Tibet into Nepal before the trouble hit. “We went from bliss to fear in seconds. Please, Indian government, help us get home safe,” he urged.
Adding to the worry, about 30 pilgrims from Titriya village in Jaipur district are stranded at Kathmandu airport. They left on August 28 for a tour of three sacred Dhams via Radharani Tour Company. After praying at Pashupatinath temple, they got stuck when flights halted.
As Nepal’s unrest continues to disrupt Kailash Mansarovar Yatra pilgrims and Indian tourists, authorities are working overtime for rescues. Stay tuned for updates on stranded Indians in Nepal.
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