BHOJPUR: An Indian vlogger and dancer, Ratul Rogx, has come forward with serious allegations of physical assault and racial abuse during his recent visit to Bhojpur, casting a shadow over the growing popularity of the Mundhum trekking route.
Rogx, who had travelled to Bhojpur to participate in a dance competition, was reportedly assaulted by a group of local youths led by Santosh Chamling Rai, a controversial figure with a history of arrests.
The attack occurred in Chakhiya, a location within the Mundhum trail. In a video shared on social media after fleeing to India, Rogx claimed that he was verbally abused with racial slurs and violently beaten, resulting in visible injuries, including severe facial swelling.
He also alleged that local police failed to act, even when the attackers threatened him in their presence.
“They beat me like a football. When I asked the police for help, they stood by silently,” Rogx said in his six-minute video, naming Jeevan, a local youth and the Nepali dance team, for helping him escape.
Adding to the controversy, a social media post reportedly made by Santosh Chamling after the incident—which has since been deleted—contained derogatory remarks against Indian nationals, further inflaming public sentiment and raising concerns about the role of local authorities.
The incident coincides with the launch of Koshi Tourism Year 2025, aimed at promoting tourism in eastern Nepal, particularly along the Greater Mundhum Trail that connects Sunsari, Udaypur, Bhojpur, and Solukhumbu.
Despite the gravity of the allegations, local police have downplayed the event, with DSP Yubaraj Timalsina calling it a minor scuffle that ended in reconciliation. This response has drawn criticism from civil society and social media users alike, who accuse the police of shielding politically affiliated perpetrators.
Municipal leaders, including Temkemaiyung Rural Municipality Chairman Saroj Basnet and Hatuwagadhi Chairman Prem Kumar Rai, have publicly apologized for the incident.
“We regret this deeply and have initiated an investigation,” Basnet said, while emphasizing the need for improved security if the region hopes to build a sustainable tourism economy.
Rogx’s video has gone viral in both Nepal and India, with many expressing concern over the treatment of foreign tourists and its potential impact on Nepal’s tourism image.
The Bhojpur District Police Office has not yet confirmed whether formal legal action will be taken against the alleged attackers. Meanwhile, human rights groups and tourism stakeholders are calling for a transparent investigation and stricter measures to ensure the safety of domestic and international visitors to the Mundhum trail.
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