The government has drawn the attention of Indian government to the baseless and abusive propaganda about Nepal government and Prime Minister (PM) KP Sharma Oli in the Indian media.
The government has sent a diplomatic note to the Indian government through the Nepali Embassy in New Delhi drawing the attention of Indian government to what it calls blasphemous materials and requested the latter to immediately take steps to stop such propaganda. "(We) Request (sic) to immediately take steps against these obscene materials about Nepal disseminated by Indian media and make sure that such materials do not find space in the media," the note states.
It has pointed that the materials are fake, baseless and insensitive as well as abusive toward Nepal and its leadership. "Such materials tend not only to mislead and misinform but also impair the sense of minimum public decency and decorum expected in a civilized society. Such motivated smearing campaign unleashed by a section of Indian media has deeply hurt the feelings of Nepali people and persona of Nepali leadership."
The government has reminded India of the long history of friendly relations and acknowledged the role media plays in boosting the relationship. "While we respect the press freedom, such freedom should not cross the threshold of minimum decency and ethical redline. Such false, concocted and obnoxious materials purportedly broadcast to humiliate and insult Nepal and Nepali people are contrary to the declared pronouncements of the leadership of the two countries to consolidate the solid foundation of bilateral relations for the benefit of the two peoples in the 21st century."
The government has pointed that such coverage in the Indian media can affect the bilateral relationship between the two countries. "The hateful and abusive posture of media outlets synchronized against a friendly neighbor and its leadership will only serve the opposite. They sow anguish and aversion among the ordinary people for generations."
The Indian media has been presenting baseless and exaggerated reports about rising Chinese influence in Nepal and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli after the government issued a new map including Kalapani, Lipu Lekh and Limpiyadhura encroached by India. It has been openly calling for Indian intervention to oust Oli.
The Indian news channels have stooped too low even by their usual standard and claimed that Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Hou Yanqi has 'honeytrapped' Oli.
Transmission of Indian news channels has been stopped in Nepal from Thursday evening.
