'Everything is completely shut down': SUST professor stranded in Kathmandu recounts chaos
TBS spoke to Professor AKM Mazharul Islam, a faculty member of the Department of Anthropology at SUST, who is in Nepal right now
Professor AKM Mazharul Islam, a faculty member of the Department of Anthropology at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), is currently stranded in Kathmandu amid violent anti-corruption protests and citywide curfew following Nepal's political turmoil.
Speaking to The Business Standard over the phone from Hotel Himalaya in Kathmandu, he said, "It's completely shut down. Almost 90% of places are under curfew. I cannot move outside the hotel."
Professor Mazharul arrived in Nepal on Thursday (4 September) for academic talks at Tribhuvan and Pokhara universities. However, soon after his arrival, unrest escalated as protests erupted following the resignation of Nepal's Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.
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"Given the current national crisis, I don't think those talks will take place," he said.
The airlines said flights are suspended until Wednesday. If the situation improves by morning, operations may restart. Otherwise, we remain stuck
Protests have rocked Nepal since the resignation of its Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, amid mass anger over corruption and nepotism. The violence has claimed at least 19 lives, according to media reports.
The professor explained how the unrest quickly escalated. "This is not just about banning social media. It's the outburst of long-pent-up frustration, especially among young people who feel hopeless due to unemployment and corruption. A privileged elite group enjoyed everything while the rest were deprived. That's why the protests turned unprecedented in Nepal's history," he said.
Mazharul further said the political volatility has made air travel uncertain. "Nepal's Tribhuvan International Airport was shut for several hours on Tuesday due to fears that corrupt ministers might flee the country.
"When I landed around 8:30pm, they told me the airport area was heavily restricted. Today, Biman Bangladesh Airlines' flight could not land and had to return," Prof Mazharul said.
He further said he has a return ticket for 13 September but is unsure whether flights will resume in time. "The airlines said flights are suspended until Wednesday. If the situation improves by morning, operations may restart. Otherwise, we remain stuck."
Mazharul confirmed reports that the ousted prime minister has already left Nepal. "It is confirmed. Everyone is saying he has fled to Dubai."
He also compared the situation with recent uprising in Bangladesh. "In Bangladesh, Abu Sayed's death acted as a trigger. In Nepal, the ban on social media triggered the protests. But underneath, both are rooted in deep frustration against systemic corruption."
Prof Mazharul noted the role of Kathmandu's popular mayor in calming tensions. "The mayor, once a rock musician, has become one of the most popular leaders because he speaks the language of this generation. Many now see him as a possible interim leader."
Despite the uncertainty, he remains cautiously hopeful. "If the army and popular local leaders can stabilise things, maybe flights will resume soon. Until then, we have no choice but to wait."
Mazharul added that the Bangladesh Embassy in Kathmandu has assured support for stranded citizens and is monitoring the situation closely. "I've contacted our embassy. They said they will provide necessary assistance if the situation worsens," he said.
