Nepal Leaders Call for Calm After Communal Violence Kills Three

Prime Minister Balendra Shah, President Ram Chandra Paudel, and other national leaders appealed for calm and unity on July 30, 2026, following a wave of communal violence in the southern Madhesh Province. The unrest began on July 26 in the Sunsari district when a dispute over loud music during Bol Bam pilgrimage preparations triggered clashes between Hindu and Muslim groups. The conflict escalated into stone-pelting and violence, resulting in the deaths of Om Prakash Mehta, Jayaprakash Mehta, and Ganesh Yadav, as well as injuries to several civilians and police personnel.

Violence spread from Sunsari to the Siraha, Dhanusha, and Parsa districts, forcing authorities to impose curfews and prohibitory orders. In response, Shah convened a National Security Council meeting and directed the Ministry of Home Affairs to form an investigation committee to probe the events. He stated that the government is serious about the incidents in Dewanganj, Siraha, and Sunsari, promising a fair and transparent process.

The administration faced sharp criticism from opposition leaders. Pushpa Kamal Dahal accused Shah of failing to provide the leadership expected during the crisis, while KP Sharma Oli criticized the government's indifference and use of force, arguing that dialogue and consensus are the only ways to overcome the current complexities. Former King Gyanendra Shah also joined the calls for national unity, urging citizens to remain united as Nepalis.