Why Are Rajasthan Tourists Stranded in Nepal?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The group includes 31 tourists from Udaipur.
- They are on a pilgrimage to Pashupati Nath temple.
- Violence in Nepal has caused flight cancellations.
- Approximately 700 tourists from Rajasthan are stranded.
- They have been advised to stay in contact with the Indian Embassy.
New Delhi, Sep 10 (NationPress) A group of 31 individuals from Udaipur, Rajasthan, embarking on a lengthy pilgrimage from the Ram Temple in Ayodhya to the Pashupati Nath temple in Nepal, have found themselves entangled in the turmoil and violence that has taken hold of the Himalayan state for more than two days.
Originally scheduled to return home, the unexpected surge of mass violence, sparked by the youth from Generation Z, has left them stranded in Pokhara city.
The families are in a state of fear for their safety, witnessing an angry mob engaged in arson and destruction of public property.
Included in the group is a local BJP leader, Anil Singhal, who revealed that their flight, planned for Wednesday, was abruptly cancelled.
In a self-recorded video, he expressed concern over the situation in Nepal, highlighting the relentless protests by the youth against corruption and the social media ban. The atmosphere has become alarming, with numerous incidents of arson and vandalism occurring openly.
Despite the chaos, he reassured, “Tourists are safe here; the Nepalese people are not harming us.”
Reports indicate that around 700 tourists from the districts of Jaipur and Udaipur in Rajasthan are currently stranded in Nepal.
Another group member, Bhagwatilal Menaria, mentioned that they were returning after visiting the Pashupati Nath temple on Tuesday morning when the violence erupted. Their journey included stops in Varanasi, Ayodhya, and Prayagraj, and they were supposed to head back to Udaipur via Kolkata and Gangasagar.
They have been advised to remain in situ and await the normalization of the situation while communicating with the Indian Embassy. Tourists from other cities, such as Jaipur and Bhilwara, are also taking refuge in the hotel.
Earlier today, a video featuring an Indian woman circulated widely on social media, where she recounted the harrowing experiences of herself and others caught in the ongoing violence.
“I urge the Indian Embassy to assist us. Please help as many individuals as possible,” she pleaded in the video, claiming that demonstrators were setting fire to everything, with no regard for tourists.