The netizens of Nepal are divided over Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit this time. Gleaning from their Twitter posts, it is apparent that the tide of popularity is not behind the Indian leader this time.

Hashtags such as #BlockadeWasCrimeMrModi and #ModiNotWelcomed-InNepal are trending. And accompanying these hashtags are pointed remarks against Modi, some reminding him of the border blockade enforced by his government when Nepal was still reeling from the aftermath of the 2015 earthquake and the others demanding that he apologise for the blockade.

Twitter user Shailesh M Pokharel wrote, “Sorry, Mr Modi we haven’t forgot blockade. We are not welcoming you but it doesn’t mean that we are anti-Indians. We are with Indian people but we condemn Indian government act of blockade in Nepal.”

Another Binod Khanal posted, “Mr#Modi Nepali politician will welcome you here in #Nepal but, Neplease people never !!”

Even former EU ambassador to Nepal Rensje Teerink, now based in Bangladesh, weighed in on the debate by posting a picture showing a long queue of cars and motorcycles waiting for refuelling, with the caption, “These images are hard to forget.”#BlockadeWasCrimeMrModi.

But it is not just Modi who is taking a cyber beating. A significant number of Twitteratis are equally critical of the Nepal government for its decision to bestow civic reception to Modi and for giving hasty makeover to only those parts of the city where the Indian prime minister’s motorcade is set to pass.

Taking a dig at the government, @Bhim_Atreya commented, “There is a fundamental difference between welcome and flattery. Flattery is insincere, unnatural and abnormal praise, not actually welcoming someone with pleasure in a natural manner. Unnatural circumstances created in the name of welcome. Damned !!”

Amid these cacophony of Twitter tirades there are also those people who are defending the visiting Indian prime minister, though they are few and far between. 

Responding to one Twitter post criticising Modi’s Nepal visit, Rohit Thapa said, “I agree, but PMs of both the countries have come to power with thumping majority, so try to celebrate this visit and get the best out of it. Interest is always mutual big or small.”

A Twitter user who goes by the handle AKesh Jaiswal posted, “These nationalist were silent when their own country men were being killed by the State and when the country has formally invited the guest they want to dishonour. #Shame on your nationalism”