In brief
Recent political unrest in Nepal, marked by protests and violence following the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, has prompted many Nepalese migrant workers in India to return home. As clashes claim lives and a nationwide curfew is enforced, workers express fears for their families and uncertainty about their future across the border. The migration dynamics, shaped by economic necessity and familial ties, reflect the delicate balance of life for these workers.
At a bus stand in the northern Indian city of Lucknow, the anxious faces tell their own story.
Nepalis who once came to India in search of work are now hurrying back across the border, as the nation reels with its worst unrest in decades. We are returning home to our motherland, says one man. We are confused. People are asking us to come back.
Earlier this week, Nepal's Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli quit after 30 died in clashes triggered by a social media ban. While the ban was later reversed, Gen Z-led protests raged on. A nationwide curfew is in place, soldiers patrol the streets, and parliament and politicians' homes have been set ablaze. With Oli gone, Nepal has no government in place.
For migrants like Saroj Nevarbani, the choice is stark. There's trouble back home, so I must return. My parents are there - the situation is grave, he told BBC Hindi. Others, like Pesal and Lakshman Bhatt, echo the uncertainty. We know nothing, they say, but people at home have asked us to come back.
For many, the journey back is not just about wages or work - it is bound up with family ties, insecurity, and the rhythms of migration that have long shaped Nepali lives. Nepalis in India fall broadly into three groups, including seasonal migrant workers, those who relocate with families, and Indian citizens of Nepali ethnicity.
Nepal tops the list of foreign students in India, with over 13,000 out of some 47,000 according to the latest data. The choice to return home now is driven by recent upheaval, raising concerns over safety and stability as many await updates from families back in Nepal during the ongoing political crisis.
Analysts caution that further instability in Nepal may drive more youth into India's informal economy, enhancing the already precarious existence of Nepali migrants who often face significant challenges such as discrimination and squalid living conditions.
Ultimately, for most Nepalis, the border is more of a lifeline than boundary - offering survival and opportunity in India while keeping them tied to the politics of their home.
