A major political debate has erupted in Nepal following the display of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s image during a welcome ceremony for former King Gyanendra Shah in Kathmandu. The use of Adityanath’s image in a pro-monarchy demonstration has sparked controversy, with differing interpretations emerging from various political and nationalist groups.

Some demonstrators portrayed Yogi Adityanath as a descendant of Greater Nepal, arguing that his ancestral roots trace back to territories historically associated with Nepal. Meanwhile, critics have strongly opposed the display, calling it inappropriate for Nepal’s political discourse and questioning why a sitting Indian political leader was being honored in a Nepali protest.

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Yogi Adityanath’s Connection to Nepal

Yogi Adityanath is the head of the Gorakhnath sect, which has deep historical and spiritual ties with Nepal. The Gorakhnath Math in Gorakhpur, India, has traditionally maintained strong relations with Nepal’s monarchy. Former Kings of Nepal, especially King Birendra and King Gyanendra, were known followers of the Gorakhnath sect.

Nepali monarchs traditionally performed special prayers at the Gorakhnath temple during Makar Sankranti, reinforcing their religious connection. The Math's influence extended into Nepalese culture, and Yogi Adityanath has expressed deep reverence for Nepal.

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The Relationship Between Nepal’s Kings and Yogi Adityanath

The ties between Nepal’s monarchy and the Gorakhnath sect date back centuries. King Birendra, and later King Gyanendra, maintained a close association with the sect. The former royal family of Nepal viewed Guru Gorakhnath as a spiritual guide, strengthening the link between the two institutions.

In 2018, former King Gyanendra Shah visited Lucknow and met with Yogi Adityanath, a meeting that was widely interpreted as an effort to reestablish Nepal’s historical ties with the Gorakhnath Math.

Followers of the Gorakhnath sect regard Yogi Adityanath as a protector of Hindu traditions, and some groups in Nepal view him as an advocate for Nepal’s Hindu identity.

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Yogi Adityanath’s Views on Nepal

Yogi Adityanath has publicly advocated for Nepal to reclaim its status as a Hindu nation.

In 2015, he wrote to Nepal’s then-Prime Minister, urging the government to reinstate Nepal as a Hindu state.

In 2018, he attended the Vivah Panchami festival in Janakpur, celebrating the divine wedding of Lord Ram and Sita, an event symbolic of Nepal-India religious unity.

In one of his well-known writings, Yogi Adityanath referred to Nepal’s 2006 declaration of secularism as a "Black Day,"arguing that the decision was influenced by external forces. He has been vocal about the need to restore Nepal’s Hindu identity.

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Should Yogi Adityanath’s Image Have Been Displayed in the Protest?

Pro-monarchy activists argue that displaying Yogi Adityanath’s image was justified due to the longstanding historical and spiritual connections between Nepal’s monarchy and the Gorakhnath sect. They claim that his deep ties to Nepal make him more than just an Indian politician, positioning him as a cultural and religious ally of the Nepali people.

On the other hand, critics see the display of a foreign political leader’s image as a violation of Nepal’s sovereignty. They argue that incorporating Indian figures into Nepali political protests undermines the country’s independence and may suggest foreign influence in domestic affairs.

Political analysts note that this incident has reignited debates about nationalism and foreign influence in Nepal.

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Social Media War: Gyanendra Shahi vs. Bishnu Rimal

The controversy escalated on social media, leading to a heated exchange between Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) spokesperson Gyanendra Shahi and UML Deputy General Secretary Bishnu Rimal, who is also the Chief Political Advisor to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

Gyanendra Shahi posted on Facebook:

"Yesterday, during the welcome ceremony for the King, the image of India's Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was placed under the direct instructions of Prime Minister KP Oli himself, through his chief political advisor, Bishnu Rimal. They have started such acts to disrupt the welcome program, which was held under Nepal’s national flag. Shameful!"

Shahi accused Prime Minister Oli and his advisors of operating under foreign influence, further fueling the controversy.

Bishnu Rimal responded with an aggressive Facebook post, writing:

*"Cucumber thieves—
They steal cucumbers, eat them,
And when exposed,
They hastily toss seeds onto someone else’s face
And flee!

Brokers—
First, they engage in brokerage,
And when their deception is revealed,
They resort to desperate tactics to protect their reputation!"*

Rimal’s post implied that Shahi was deliberately spreading misinformation and attempting to manipulate the nationalist narrative for political gain.

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Yogi Adityanath: A Leader of Nepali Ancestry Within Greater Nepal?

Yogi Adityanath was born on June 5, 1972, in Panchur, Uttarakhand (then part of Uttar Pradesh), India. Historically, Panchur was part of Nepal’s western territories before Nepal was forced to cede it under the 1816 Sugauli Treaty with the British East India Company.

Before the Sugauli Treaty, Greater Nepal extended westward beyond the Gandak River, incorporating regions such as Kumaon, Garhwal, Dehradun, and even parts of present-day Sikkim. If viewed through the lens of Greater Nepal’s historical claims, Yogi Adityanath was technically born in an area that was once under Nepali rule.

Thus, under the ideology of Greater Nepal, Adityanath's birthplace falls within Nepal’s historical boundaries, leading some nationalist groups to claim that he is of Nepali heritage. They argue that his roots and religious influence make him a key figure in Nepal’s Hindu-nationalist movement.

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Conclusion

The controversy surrounding Yogi Adityanath’s image in Nepal’s royalist protests has once again stirred debates on nationalism, sovereignty, and historical territorial claims. While some view him as a spiritual leader with deep ties to Nepal, others see the use of his image in a political demonstration as problematic and a sign of foreign influence.

As Nepal continues to navigate these sensitive discussions, the debate over Greater Nepal and its historical territories remains an unresolved and contentious issue in the country's political landscape.