Indian President Pranab Mukherjee is in Kathmandu on a three-day state visit at the invitation of President Bidya Devi Bhandari.  President Bhandari received her Indian counterpart at the VVIP lounge at the Tribhuvan International Airport. Top government officials including Vice President and Prime Minister were also present in the occasion. Government even announced a public holiday citing his visit. Kathmandu looked like dead city in the first day of his visit.  Traffic Police has requested travelers to use an alternative route during the three-day Nepal visit by Indian President Pranab Mukherjee, considering some constraint in the movement of vehicles on those days. Mukherjee’s arrival brought happiness, zeal and excitement to our leaders only not to the people. People are venting their anger against India. The outburst of India could clearly be seen in social networking sites. #IndianPresidentNotWelcome is trending in twitter.

Our President, Vice President and Prime Minister all thong to airport to receive Indian President. Was it necessary? Either one of them could have received them. One may argue its diplomacy. If so, will Indian President including the head of government come to airport to receive our President if she visits India? Will India give a public holiday when she visits India? Definitely, it wont. All people are aware of this. So, why are we giving such treatment and privileges to him? Diplomacy should be equal and fair. We are small in size but that doesn’t mean there should be difference in treatment and diplomacy.

The anti Indian sentiments have grown vigorously among Nepali people after India enforced blockade and choked the country and blocked the shipment of essential supplies from India few months ago. Nepal promulgated a much-anticipated constitution, the seventh in its bumbling march towards people’s democracy in 68 years. The new constitution was welcomed except in the southern part of Nepal. It had been reported that India had enforced a blockade of Nepal after its leaders ignored India’s inputs for writing the constitution. Madhesi leaders said that their rights would be diluted the way the provinces have been delineated.

Indian Prime Minister Modi had visited Nepal just over two years ago as part of his policy to engage with the neighborhood. He was the first Indian prime minister to visit Nepal in 17 years. He addressed the Constituent Assembly, offered prayers at the Pashupatinath Temple and provided a $1 billion line of credit. He won the hearts of many. But this impression created by him didn’t last long. India’s reaction to the progressive constitution of Nepal was really shocking. India has urged Nepal to alter some of the provisions to incorporate the unsatisfied groups. It was even reported that it told Nepal to make seven changes in the document.

 Many countries congratulated Nepal and welcomed the new constitution, but India, one of the closest neighbors, merely noted it. India has always shown its Big Brother attitude, and Nepal resents that. Nepal also ignored the wish of India’s political party BJP to change Nepal into a Hindu state. And New Delhi wasn’t happy with the way it had been ignored, and how the leaders had rebuffed its suggestions. Nepal is India’s neighbor, not its state, and Nepal should be treated in that way. But India treats Nepal as its state. People are aware of its interferences in each and every issues of Nepal. And our leaders also regard India as a Big brother. All are aware that India plays a crucial role in every major political change in Nepal.

Many people aren’t happy with the government’s decision to give public holiday on his visit. The outbursts of anger are seen in social medias. There was kind of curfew when he landed Kathmandu. And people had to suffer a lot due to this. India should change its attitude and behavior towards Nepal to abate the anti Indian sentiments that have grown in recent days. Then only it will be meaningful to give holiday on his visit. Else what is the use of giving holiday of President Mukherjee’s visit when most of the people in Nepal are still angry with India?