Kathmandu, May 11 (IANS) Netizens of Nepal slammed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, currently visiting the Himalayan nation, reminding him of the 2015 border blockade and asking him to apologize.
Hashtags like #BlockadeWasCrimeMrModi and #ModiNotWelcomed-InNepal were trending as the Indian leader kicked off his two-day Nepal visit on Friday.
Some users reminded Modi of the border blockade enforced by India when Nepal was still reeling from the aftermath of the 2015 earthquake.
Others demanded that Modi apologize for the 135-day blockade from September 2015 to February 2016 that crippled Nepal’s economy and led to tensions between the two countries.
“Sorry, Mr Modi we haven’t forgotten blockade. We are not welcoming you but it doesn’t mean that we are anti-Indian. We are with Indian people but we condemn the Indian government act of blockade in Nepal,” wrote user Shailesh M. Pokharel on Twitter.
Another, Binod Khanal, posted: “Mr Modi Nepali politician will welcome you in Nepal but, Neplease people never!!”
Former EU ambassador to Nepal Rensje Teerink, now based in Bangladesh, weighed in on the debate by posting a picture showing a long queue of cars and motorcycles waiting for refuelling, with the caption: “These images are hard to forget.”
A significant number of Twitteratis were equally critical of the Nepali government for its decision to bestow civic reception to the Indian leader and for giving “hasty makeover” to only those parts of the city where his motorcade was expected to pass.
Taking a dig at the government, user Bhim Atreya commented: “There is a fundamental difference between welcome and flattery. Flattery is insincere, unnatural and abnormal praise, not actually welcoming someone with pleasure in a natural manner. Unnatural circumstances created in the name of welcome. Damned!!”
However, there were many who defended Modi’s visit.
“Prime Ministers of both the countries have come to power with thumping majority, so try to celebrate this visit and get the best out of it. Interest is always mutual big or small,” wrote a Rohit Thapa.
Modi, Oli flag off Janakpur-Ayodhya bus service
Janakpur (Nepal), May 11 (IANS) Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Nepali counterpart K.P. Sharma Oli on Friday jointly flagged off a bus service connecting Janakpur with Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh.
“Mere Bhai, this welcome is an honour to all Indian citizens. I am really happy with you the way you welcomed me here,” Modi told Oli. He is in Nepal on a two-day visit.
The Indian leader then attended a civic reception in his honour at the city’s Rangabhumi Maidan witnessed by thousands. He was felicitated with a garland weighing 121 kg.
A key to Janakpur city was also handed over to Modi.
Before the reception, Modi met Oli at Ram Janaki temple here and the two leaders jointly performed prayers.
Modi arrives in Nepal
Kathmandu: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Nepal on Friday on his two-day official visit.
He landed in Janakpur where he was received by Defence Minister Ishwor Pokhrel, Chief Minister of Province-2 Lal Babu Raut, and other senior Nepal government officials.
Three helipads were constructed at the Janakpur Airport for the landing of Modi’s helicopter.
Thousands of people from Nepal and India have gathered in Janakpur to see Modi where he would be addressing the public after a civic reception.
Prime Minister K.P. Oli has also reached Janakpur. He will receive Modi at the Ram Janaki temple.
Modi would be offering special prayers at the temple, making him the first Indian Prime Minister to do so with “khodasopachar” rituals.
This is Modi’s third tour to Nepal.(IANS)