A religious journey for an Indian family from Ghaziabad to Nepal took a heart-rending turn when violent protests engulfed Kathmandu on September 9, 2025. During these anti-government demonstrations led mostly by Nepal’s Gen Z, rioters set fire to the five-star Hyatt Regency hotel where the family was staying, as per a report by The Indian Express.
Rajesh Gola, 57, died from injuries sustained after she and her husband attempted a desperate escape by jumping from their fourth-floor room. Her husband, Ramveer Singh Gola, survived but was hospitalised. The protests have escalated to widespread chaos, with dozens of Indian tourists stranded and communication blackouts hindering rescue efforts.
The Night of Fire and Despair
Rajesh and Ramveer Gola had arrived in Kathmandu on September 7 for a pilgrimage to the Pashupatinath temple. On the night of September 9, protesters stormed and set the lower floors of the Hyatt Regency ablaze amidst the citywide unrest.
With smoke blocking exits, rescue teams placed mattresses to soften the fall for panicked guests urged to jump from windows. The Golas broke a window and tied bedsheets to form a rope, clinging to it as they descended. Ramveer landed safely with minor injuries; tragically, Rajesh’s grip faltered and she fell, suffering fatal spinal injuries. Their son Vishal revealed the agonising separation and criticised the slow rescue response and limited support from the Indian embassy during the chaos.
The Hyatt Regency has since closed temporarily due to damages from the attacks along with several other luxury hotels in Kathmandu.
Roots of Unrest and Escalation
Nepal’s capital has been gripped by Gen Z-led protests demanding greater political transparency and the lifting of a social media ban. What began as a movement for reform rapidly escalated in violence, leading to the torching of several government offices, the parliament building, and upscale properties symbolising elite dominance, including the Hyatt Regency and the Hilton Kathmandu, which was completely engulfed and is now a blackened shell.
Amid the civil unrest, Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned and fled following public pressure. The protests have disrupted daily life and tourism, Nepal’s economic backbone, leaving hundreds of Indian pilgrims and tourists stranded amid curfews and travel restrictions.
In response to the unrest and disruptions, Nepalese authorities have introduced temporary measures to aid stranded foreign nationals, including Indian tourists. Travelers whose visas were valid up to September 8, 2025, can now obtain exit permits and regularise their visas free of charge.
These provisions also cover those who lost passports during the disturbances, allowing visa transfers to emergency travel documents issued by their embassies. The measures aim to facilitate smooth departures amid curfew and travel restrictions, with immigration offices and departure points offering these services to ease the exit process and help tourists navigate the crisis.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This harrowing incident is a sober reminder of the human toll violence inflicts on innocents unrelated to political conflicts. The Logical Indian strongly advocates for equitable, peaceful dialogue, insisting that grievances be addressed without endangering lives, especially those of vulnerable civilians and tourists.
In the face of turmoil, empathy, calm leadership, and robust diplomatic support are imperative to protect those caught in unrest’s violent storm.
