Following the first day of demonstration starting from Sunday, a group of students continued their protests outside the Indian Embassy in Lainchaur on Monday as well.The protest rally had started from the premises of Amrit Science Campus (ASCOL) at Thamel and convened outside the embassy around 2 pm in the afternoon.
"We are against the irresponsible act of the Indian government. They cannot hold our economy hostage by blocking the entry of goods and supplies from the border checkpoints. If they continue to interfere in our economy, we will intensify the protest," said Ratna Dhakal, chairperson of All Nepal National Independent Students' Union- Revolutionary (ANNISU-R).
Dhakal further suggested that this is the right time to address the qualms of the agitating Madheshi parties, including the issues of marginalized communities.
"The government should ease the problem. They should sit with the agitating parties and settle down the issues," he added.
In an act of protest, students on Sunday had cooked traditional Nepali food, Gundruk and Dhindo, outside the embassy's gate. Cooked in firewood, the students even consumed the food items on the open street.
"It was a message to the Indian government that Nepal can survive on our own resources if they decide to block our daily supplies. Hope the message was heard loud and clear," said Radhika Kathiwada, secretary of All Nepal National Free Students' Union (ANFSU).
Various student leaders had addressed the protest program outside the Indian Embassy on Monday.
According to Kathiwada, they will submit a memorandum to UN headquarters and seek for its assistance.
"The interference of India in Nepal's economy is against international laws. They do not have the right to infringe on our national sovereignty," complained Kathiwada.