Nepal’s Pashupatinath Temple Shuts Amid Violent Protests: What’s Happening?
Hey folks, if you’re following the news from Nepal, things have turned really tense. The famous Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, a massive draw for Hindu devotees worldwide, closed its doors to visitors on Wednesday. Why? Escalating violent protests sweeping the country forced the shutdown, and now the Nepalese Army stands guard to keep things calm around this sacred spot.
These protests kicked off big time on Monday, with young people leading the charge against the government’s recent moves. They exploded into chaos after Nepal’s Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli stepped down on Tuesday, bowing to mounting pressure. Angry crowds even targeted the homes of President Ramchandra Paudel and other big-shot leaders, and they trashed the Parliament building. It’s all part of nationwide anti-government protests in Nepal that’s got everyone on edge.
The violence hit hard—official reports say at least 22 people lost their lives, and over 500 got injured in clashes between protesters and security forces on Monday. What sparked it? Youth groups slammed a government ban on 26 social media platforms as a direct hit on freedom of expression. They took to the streets in huge numbers, demanding change, and things quickly spiraled out of control.
In response to the uproar, Nepal’s government quickly lifted that controversial social media ban late Monday. But the drama didn’t stop there—Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak and a few other ministers quit their posts amid the crisis. By late Tuesday, the Nepalese Army rolled into Kathmandu with troops to restore order and prevent more Nepal protests from turning deadly.
Across the border, India isn’t taking chances. They’ve ramped up security along the Nepal-India border and urged Indian citizens in Nepal to stay indoors and skip any travel plans. Prime Minister Narendra Modi even called an urgent meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) to tackle the worsening Nepal unrest. He shared his heartbreak over the young lives lost and pushed for peace in Nepal.
In a heartfelt post on X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi said: “Many young people have lost their lives. The stability, peace, and prosperity of Nepal are of utmost importance to us. I humbly appeal to all my brothers and sisters in Nepal to support peace.” It’s a strong message amid the turmoil.
To top it off, flights to and from Kathmandu are grounded right now, and the Army’s fully in charge to maintain law and order. As Nepal’s protests continue, the world watches closely—hoping for a quick return to calm in this beautiful Himalayan nation. Stay tuned for updates on the Pashupatinath Temple reopening and the latest on Nepal’s political crisis.
