In the view of the current situation between Nepal and India, the Nepalese FM radio channels are playing anti-India songs to influence the locals residing near the Nepal border in Pithoragarh district. Several people living in the villages near the border shared this with The Pioneer and stated that such Nepalese songs are also claiming several areas of Uttarakhand as their own while mentioning that they will get them back too.
Locals opined that some people might get the impression that Nepal is right to claim the land in Uttarakhand under the influence of such disinformation spread from across the border. Besides this, people also mentioned that the relation between Nepalese and Indians in this border region was quite close for decades but the present differences between two nations have strained this relationship. “We have a “roti-beti” relationship with people in Nepal and it has never felt like a different nation before due to several similarities including language and living style. However, all the tension across the border in the last few weeks has caused apprehensions among the people, especially those who have married their daughters in Nepal,” said Maya Dutt Joshi, a resident of Pithoragarh. People also informed that while some Nepalese living in Pithoragarh are not happy with the current scenario, most Nepalese support their government in its decision of claiming Indian land. Many also opined that China is actually pulling the strings of Nepal to cause contention between the two countries. “We have been living in harmony for so long and our country provides employment to multitudes from Nepal so it”s odd the way the Nepal government is suddenly appearing to oppose India. It is quite understood that China is behind all this to use Nepal against India. Though we are not dependent on Nepal, Nepal has a lot to lose if India-Nepal relations deteriorate in the future,” said Sanjay Chauhan, a teacher from Didihat, Pithoragarh. He also added that earlier people used to listen to Nepalese FM stations but since the anti-India songs started to play on the radio, locals have stopped listening to these radio stations.
Other locals also opined that the state or district administration should take some action in this matter. They said that the Nepalese songs are quite famous in the district and hundreds of people listen to them but the propaganda spreading disinformation through radio among locals can actually influence those people who are not aware much about the situation outside their villages. When the sub divisional magistrate (SDM) of Pithoragarh district, Tushar Saini was asked about the disinformation spread through Nepalese radio channels, he stated that he got reports about the issue a few days back but he has not received any such complaints recently. He also added that such Nepalese radio signals are not received in the whole Pithoragarh district but only the areas near the border.
It will be recalled that since inauguration of the Dharchula- Lipulekh motor road in May, Nepal has been claiming Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura in Pithoragarh district as its territories.
