Muslim Hate in Nepal
Muslims Throw Stones at Hindus During Ganesh Immersion Procession
SEP 3, 2025 1:00 PM
BY ASHLYN DAVIS
In one of our earlier reports, we highlighted how Nepal, a small
Himalayan nation in South Asia, has witnessed a sharp rise in its
Muslim population in recent years. This demographic shift has coincided
with increasing Islamization, marked by the rapid establishment of
mosques and unregulated madrasas. The growing influence has also made
the country a haven for jihad groups such as the Islamic State (ISIS)
and Jaish-e-Mohammed, turning it into fertile ground for jihad
activity. More concerning, however, is the pattern of regular attacks
on Hindus and attempts to restrict them from celebrating their
festivals in their own land, once again reflecting how local
populations are targeted when Muslims begin to gain demographic
dominance.
On August 30, 2025, a Ganesh idol immersion procession in Janakpurdham,
the capital of Nepal’s Madhesh Province, erupted into communal violence
near Jhanda Chowk in Sub-Metropolitan City Ward 20. The procession, on
its way to the Kashibhui pond, passed through a predominantly Muslim
neighborhood when tensions suddenly escalated. Members of the Muslim
community reportedly attempted to stop the procession and block the
road, precipitating an argument between participants.
Matters quickly intensified as they took to throwing stones at the idol
of the Hindu deity. This act triggered a fierce clash between the two
communities. Law enforcement moved swiftly to contain the unrest.
Police forces responded by deploying tear gas shells to disperse the
agitated crowd.
According to Dhanusha Police Deputy Superintendent Bahadur Singh, two
individuals were injured in the melee. A substantial police and armed
police presence, with around 200 personnel, was mobilized, with
deployments along major routes leading to and from Janakpurdham,
including roads to Devpura-Rupaitha and Jatahi, to prevent escalation
and maintain public order.
Residents and observers expressed concern that such attacks from Muslim
groups during religious processions had become a recurring issue. Many
pointed out that similar violence had also occurred during Durga
immersion in prior years, and now, these were also becoming rampant in
other Hindu festivals such as Ganesh Chaturthi. It’s evident that
without long-term conflict resolution, such confrontations might become
a yearly ritual rather than an anomaly.
This incident stands out for several reasons. First, it occurred in
Janakpurdham, a historic and culturally significant city central to
Nepal’s Madhesh region, and the administrative heart of the province.
Second, the attack on Ganesh immersion is particularly notable, because
this festival is typically regarded as a peaceful and unifying public
event. Further, the severity of the attack, marked by stone-throwing,
injuries, and significant law enforcement intervention, underscores the
volatility of communal dynamics due to an increase in the Muslim
population, even in spaces traditionally considered safe for Hindu
religious observance.
In recent years, several parts of Nepal have witnessed violent
disruptions during Hindu religious processions, raising concerns about
recurring communal tensions. These incidents, often marked by
stone-throwing and clashes along immersion routes, have prompted
repeated curfews and heavy security deployments by local
administrations.
One of the most serious flare-ups occurred in Birgunj, Parsa district,
in April 2025 during a Hanuman Jayanti procession. On Saturday, April
12, a Muslim mob attacked a Hanuman Jayanti procession in Nepal’s
Birgunj, prompting authorities to impose a curfew in several parts of
the city. According to reports, Hindu organizations had organized a
religious march to mark the festival when the procession was targeted
with stone-throwing near Shreeram Hall Chowk in Chapkaiya-3. The
violence quickly escalated, leaving several people, including police
personnel, injured. Muslims also set multiple vehicles ablaze, further
aggravating the situation. The situation deteriorated so quickly that
the District Administration Office imposed a curfew in central Birgunj
to restore order. Authorities later extended the restrictions and
convened peace talks with local leaders, which ultimately resulted in a
five-point agreement aimed at preventing further escalation.
In September 2020, Malangawa in Sarlahi district experienced unrest
during a Bishwakarma idol immersion. A dispute between the Hindu and
Muslim groups erupted during a ritual procession of immersing the idol
of Bishwakarma at Malanga Municipality. Police said people from the
Muslim community had interfered with the idol immersion program.
According to officials, Hindus wish to transport the idol to the pond
by walking along the route used on Fridays, while local Muslims are
opposed to allowing them to organize the religious procession along
that route. Gradually, the minor dispute was followed by a clash in
which more than a dozen people sustained serious injuries. Police
immediately took control of the site following the incident.
A similar pattern was seen earlier in Krishnanagar, Kapilvastu, in
October 2018, when Muslims attacked a Durga idol immersion procession
and threw stones at them from the rooftops of houses near a mosque. The
clashes disrupted the festival atmosphere and compelled authorities to
reimpose curfew orders in the town. The incident highlighted how
immersion routes passing through sensitive localities can often become
flashpoints for conflict.
Taken together, these incidents highlight a worrying trend. Hindu
processions in Nepal, whether it be Hanuman Jayanti, Durga Puja, or
Bishwakarma Puja, have increasingly been marred by attacks by Muslims,
resulting in deadly clashes in recent years. While authorities have
responded with curfews and security deployments, the repeated outbreaks
point to unresolved underlying tensions that risk resurfacing during
major festivals.
In the aftermath, authorities and civic leaders stressed the need for
preventive measures, maintaining vigilance during religious gatherings,
and fostering community-level understanding to avert further
disruptions. Although the immediate situation was brought under
control, the incident shed light on underlying tensions that, unless
addressed substantively, risk escalating during future cultural and
religious events.