Questions are being raised about some 'celebrities' for their involvement in the Bhadau protests. Some 'celebrities' are also being accused of inciting the protesters who engaged in vandalism and arson. In this context, artists Deepak Raj Giri, Nischal Basnet, Vijay Lama, and commentator Aman Pratap Adhikari have been criticized for the past few days.

Some seem to have taken their side, saying that they themselves were not involved in vandalism and arson, and that their statements were 'natural' in the circumstances at the time. 

Whether the accused artists were involved in the vandalism and arson of 24 Bhadra will be revealed later or an investigation will provide a conclusion. Kantipur has analyzed what kind of 'status' they wrote on social media and how they joined the protest using the 'open source intelligence' method. 

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Nischal Basnet is a well-known name in the Nepali art scene. Basnet, the director of 'trend-setter' films like 'Loot', has presented himself in various roles in many Nepali films. Recently, he has been in the news for a video, which has nothing to do with the film. 

He was seen in the video of the protest on 24 Bhadau, saying, 'This is the beginning of a new era, which the Gen-G generation has shown, what other generations could not do, now you will choose to build a country, that is what will happen.' As he speaks, smoke is seen billowing in the background. Due to this video, various criticisms are being made against Basnet on social media. There is no video of him himself participating in vandalism and arson. 

Basnet has been active on social media since 21 Bhadau in connection with the Gen-G movement. At 9:49 am on 21 Bhadau, he posted about the movement on TikTok. In it, he wrote, 'Nepal is waking up against corruption. The government will find it difficult to contain the passion of the new generation. Gen-G Revolution Against Corruption! Respect 8 September, a date to remember and revolt!' 

Basnet posted a 3-minute-31-second video at 10:40 pm on Bhadra 22 saying, ‘Finally it’s happening.’ ‘Now the Gen-G generation is very frustrated. They are preparing to rise up against corruption, injustice and abuse of power. This movement is not against anyone, it is for our future,’ Basnet said in the video. 

In the video, he said, ‘Law and order in the country is now being implemented only for the powerless.’ He said, ‘People who have come to power have gone above the rules. The Prime Minister’s car hits people and runs away, and no one takes responsibility for it. And the Prime Minister who speaks like this, the people who listen like this.’

He added, ‘The space for us to express ourselves on social media has also been taken away. People’s voices are being silenced. Due to this pressure and injustice, the Gen-G generation has now become ‘fed up’. We are going to take to the streets to peacefully demand our rights and expose corrupt people.' He also appealed to the security personnel, saying, 'This movement is not against you. It is for the future of your children. So help prevent infiltration and violence in the crowd. Let's all make this movement peaceful and meaningful together.'

On the day of the Gen-G movement, i.e. 23 Bhadra, at 7:39 pm, Basnet posted a 5-minute and 57-minute video. 'What kind of leadership is this - giving orders to shoot even when you know that underage children will also come there? Let's say you use a gun on public property, how is that acceptable?' In the video, he said, 'I saw it with my own eyes - the hospitals were packed, but when the youth came to the movement, the government responded by firing instead of consenting. This has targeted our future.' 

Basnet has also questioned the Chief District Officer of Kathmandu, ‘Who gave that order?’ He said, ‘This movement is not a group that has come with the flag of any media outlet or party.’ He added, ‘This is the voice of the rising generation, which is worried about its own future. No one has the right to drag them into the field and let their future go to waste.’ 

Basnet also wrote on Facebook at 10:52, ‘A cowardly government that is shedding the blood of the new generation that is looking for the future and speaking out against corruption! Spit! Dear Balen Shah, it’s time, now is the time. The people need you. We have been waiting for our time to be something. Lead us all for the future of the young generation! Please.’ 

On 24 Bhadra, Basnet posted two video messages asking for a reduction in vandalism and arson on public property after it became widespread. In the first video, which is 2 minutes and 1 second long and posted at 3:16 pm, 12 people including Basnet, former Education Minister Sumana Shrestha, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh leader Ganesh Karki, Bibeksheel Sajha leader Milan Pandey, artist Deepak Raj Giri, and Max Kshetra are seen. 

‘This movement started by the Gen-G generation is now starting to become meaningful across the country,’ Basnet said in the video, ‘The meaning of the smoke we are seeing behind us today is that this is the smoke that has been leading to the end of all those who have been deceiving, playing with us, and disappointing us by showing us hope for decades. Now this is a sign of a new beginning.’

Basnet added, ‘What Generation-G initiated has now achieved success in its first step. But now restraint is needed. Vandalizing a lot means damaging our property. Now we need to be organized and move forward thinking in the interest of the country. This movement is for the country, not for personal hatred. The common objective of all of us is to improve the country. The courage you have shown is historic. Now call for peace. This country belongs to you, it is your responsibility. Protect the physical infrastructure. Parliament, buildings, roads, property, all of these belong to you. You have to sit here and make policies tomorrow.'

Basnet posted another video message at 5:29. In the 2 minute 1 second video, he said, 'Hello, hello everyone, Gen-G has brought us this far, this is your victory. You have succeeded in taking the country on a new path. But in the future, it is necessary to be a little cautious. Impulse and anger can lead to looting and vandalism - do not encourage such things. If someone is doing it, go and stop it.'

Stating that this change will not always come, he added, 'Our generation could not do it, our fathers and grandfathers' generation could not do it, but you did it. Now, restraint and organization are necessary to make this victory permanent. We must protect the physical infrastructure – Parliament, roads, property, all of these belong to you. Let us also be sensitive to the families and future of others.’ Expressing his gratitude to the youth, he said, ‘Thank you, Gen-ji, for taking such an initiative and showing the way for this change. We will do our best to help. But continue to reduce looting and vandalism and spread the call for peace. Please, let us move forward on this path.’

On 24 Bhadra at 7:36 pm, Basnet also posted a status on Facebook. ‘What will Nepal be like in the future? As Gen-ji wants! No one else will come forward to shake hands,’ he wrote, ‘This generation matures by learning, making mistakes, and learning again. But this is the generation that will run the country. Now I really want to see the youth running the country.’

On 25 Bhadra at 10:21 pm, Basnet shared the status of Balendra (Balen) Shah, Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City. At 1:17 pm on 26 Bhadra, he wrote, "Gen-G brothers and sisters, remember the blood of that young friend when making every decision. Remember the country and the future. We trust you."

Director Nischal has urged an investigation into him and said that he is ready to face punishment if found guilty. "Prove that I threw stones or set fire anywhere, I am ready to face whatever punishment you give me," Basnet wrote on Facebook at 6:08 pm last Wednesday, "When I look for evidence, it will be clear whether I was throwing stones or stopping, so please ask me to investigate." He wrote, "Did I join the movement? Yes, did I protest corruption? Yes, did my brothers and sisters come to take photos and videos with me? Yes, I have nothing to say to those who spread confusion by putting their own captions on the videos."

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Artist Deepak Raj Giri is controversial for his appearance in the 24 Bhadra protest. After a photo of him at the arson and vandalism of Congress leader Bimalendra Nidhi's house was made public, he is being criticized on social media. 

Giri seems to have started writing about the Gen-G movement on Facebook only after the police crackdown on 23 Bhadra. That day at 11:53 pm, he wrote on Facebook – ‘The main reason for this dark day... 

1) An electoral system where no one gets a majority no matter how many elections are held. (Blacks eat blacks together) 

2) Despite many political changes, the corrupt bureaucracy remains unchanged.

3) Corrupt and short-sighted leadership! Running the country in turns with the same face! 

Therefore, let us immediately resign the government, adopt a directly elected Prime Minister system, change the impractical clauses in the constitution, and pave the way for the campaign to truly create a new Nepal, thus saving the country from further damage. Jai Nepal!’

Giri wrote on Facebook at 11:05 am on 24 Bhadra, ‘Prime Minister! It is better to resign now and give way to the people's will than to give way to someone else after 6 months!' he wrote. On the same day, at 12:14 PM, he wrote, 'Let's meet in Baneshwor now!' He wrote on Facebook at 2:36 PM, 'The resignation has come! Gen-G, the responsibility is coming into your hands! So let's be restrained now, tomorrow you will save the physical infrastructure we need.' On the same day, at 3:12 PM, he posted a 1 minute 49 second video message, in which there was a group of 12 people including Nischal Basnet. Then at 6:49 PM, he wrote a status on Facebook saying, 'The need now is to end the situation where ordinary citizens cannot survive without taking membership of a party..' Immediately at 7:33 PM, he wrote another status, 'There has been talk of looting in banks and there is still talk of attacks in some places! Let's exercise restraint! Please return home...!' 

At 8:33 pm, Giri wrote, ‘Now some people are arguing that Balen is right and another group is arguing that Ravi is right! It is time for both of them to stop further destruction and move forward together.’

On 25 Bhadra, at 9:31 am, he wrote, ‘The road ahead is not that easy... There has been great material and human loss! There is no alternative to all parties abandoning the feeling of revenge from here and embarking on the path of nation building... Good morning!’ On the same day, at 8:08 pm, he wrote, ‘There is a mountain of challenges ahead! How to take the current constitution? Which path and destination to adopt? How to maintain national consensus and unity? In such a situation, it is better to take a legally experienced person forward!’

On 26 Bhadra, at 9:11 am, he wrote, ‘In my personal opinion... even though the Gen-G movement has succeeded, it has caused such great material and human loss against its wishes. It seems that there has been infiltration of many vested interests there! The evidence of the received videos also says the same! Right now, Gen-G is in a situation where it is necessary to avoid the danger of being misled by different groups like this! Such groups can push the country into a major conflict by giving wrong advice according to their own interests! Therefore, it seems that the need of the day is to move forward in a way that ensures that major demands such as corruption and good governance are addressed, and that national unity is also maintained in the future and that everyone's views are represented! For this, it seems that civil society should also come forward and cooperate.'

On the same day, at 10:33 pm, he wrote, 'There is a lot of commotion, speculation and our own analyses! Sometimes things of ashes, sometimes of corpses! We have lived in fear for a long time! Let's dream some dreams of hope...'

Deepak Raj Giri has answered the question raised against him. He wrote on Facebook at 7:09 pm on Friday, ‘As for me, I am an artist who is not affiliated with any group, I have no participation in the vandalism and arson that took place in the country, if it is proven, I am ready for maximum action.’

He said that the photo that is going viral was taken at an all-party gathering in Baneshwor. He writes, ‘Now they will weave a good story of their own style by posting a photo of me walking on that road. I wanted to keep it as quiet as possible, but many people sent this photo and asked, Deepakji, is this you? Now, as a responsible citizen, I have to speak up. The first thing is that it is true that I have supported this one as well as every movement for change in Nepal. If it is a crime, then it is a crime....

He writes, ‘Now let me get to the main point, that day Ganesh Karki bhai called and said that there is a small all-party gathering in Baneshwor, he said that you as artists should also come, after which I left the house. At that time, general vandalism had already started outside. The house was on the way from my house to Baneshwor, I didn't even know whose house it was, there were some funny boys looking at the vandalized house. They waved at me, they were even taking photos, that was all, but now they will weave a good story of their own style by posting a photo of me walking on that road....'

Giri has also given an explanation about his second photo that went viral. 'The second photo, then there was a discussion, widespread vandalism and arson started. Then we also made a video saying let's not vandalize. Then I came home and kept posting statuses saying let's not vandalize, let's protect the nation's property, that status is there as a witness. In fact, that movement was one side, arson and destruction was another side, and it has been proven that many vested interests, including people from political parties, have entered that second side,' he wrote.

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Another person who is being criticized is director Aman Pratap Adhikari. Adhikari, who is also a famous football commentator, is the director of the reality show ‘Poet Idol’. He has come under fire for a video of him celebrating while the Parliament building was burning during the protest on Bhadra 24.

Adhikari posted the video on Facebook at 5:52 pm on Bhadra 24. In the video, he used chaotic and obscene language saying ‘Your country has been burnt’. ‘Look now… (expletive) Inside the Parliament building, everything… is done… thieves… (expletive) scoundrels… sons… in the name of the leader…

(expletive) looting… is done, look there, your country is done, your state… (expletive) sons… now… it’s everyone’s turn… theft, bribery… everything is burning now… (expletive) everyone’s life is lost… it’s done… it’s done… it’s done….’

He has also posted statuses and videos about the movement before Bhadra 24. In a video posted on 23 Bhadra, he said, ‘The soldier who fired that shot, the one from whom he received that order was his chief, his chief who gave that order, his chief who received the order from the Home Minister, the Home Minister who consulted with whom to give this order, the Prime Minister, after this advice and go-ahead came from the Prime Minister, it reached the Home Minister and the soldiers. Shots were fired. The students were killed. This is murder. You are murderers.’

He said, ‘It is not just the soldier who fired the shot. This is a chain, the entire chain, from where this consultation to the go-ahead order came, you are all murderers. And, this should be taken to court. It should not be left like this, resignation will not work. This should be taken to court. Whoever of you is involved, you should be severely punished. This movement is no longer just for Gen-G. It is for all of you. We may not be Gen-G in age, but in our minds and hearts, we are Gen-G. Now move forward. These murderers will not be spared.'

At 7:03 pm on Bhadra 24, he wrote on Facebook, 'This is not the time for Ravi (Lamichhane) and Raja, my friend. We need more than that.' On Bhadra 25, at 11:35 am, he wrote, 'Where is Prachanda? Does anyone know?'. At 9:03 pm on Bhadra 25, he made another post, in which he wrote, 'Where did Balen go? Now it's time to speak, man.' On Bhadra 30, he himself posted, 'Those who killed our children, vandalized and looted should be arrested.'

Director Aman Pratap Adhikari, after his video material of making anarchic and obscene comments on Saturday was made public, made a statement saying, 'Arrest the murderer.' At 12:33 pm on Saturday, he wrote, 'The families of the martyrs are waiting for justice, the injured are still lying in the hospital. Let's quit our jobs, catch the killer.'

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Captain and artist Vijay Lama, who was seen in the protest on Bhadra 24, has also been criticized. He has been criticized for a photo posted by a TikTok user named Ramanrai406. In the photo, he is seen with the protesters that day, with a burning structure visible in the background. The structure belongs to the Ulens School and Lama is accused of celebrating the burning of the school. 

Lama wrote on Facebook at 8:33 AM on Bhadra 24, 'The Gen-G generation has been forced to take to the streets because they do not feel the change. The closure of social media is just an excuse. Raising voice for an end to corruption and nepotism is not a crime. The killing of 20 youths in a single day is murder, an insult to justice. Not only the youth of the country, but also those from abroad are angry. This is no longer a personal issue, it has become a national issue.' On the same day at 4:44 PM, Lama released a video and said, 'After yesterday's incident, Nepalis across the country are showing great support, but you are not above the people. Shooting small school children is not acceptable. Uniforms provide dignity and security. They should not be misused. When forming an interim government, do not appoint people affiliated with the party as ministers and give responsibility to professionals. Don't just stay at home and comment, come out on the streets and support. If necessary, I will also be on the streets. This energy should be carried forward in a peaceful and organized manner, reduce violence and looting, and be sensitive to the families and future of others.'

Lama also posted a photo of himself participating in the protest at 10:37 PM on 24 Bhadra. In the caption, he wrote, 'The whole country was tense throughout the afternoon! I reached various places in Lalitpur supporting the Gen-G Protest Movement. Whatever is happening today is because of all the leaders. This is the result of playing with the sentiments of Gen-G and corruption that knows no bounds! Not only that, the arrogance and contemptuous attitude of those leaders and political parties are the main reasons. Today, the victory of the people is the result of the leading role of Gen-G! My humble request to the entire Gen-G...Now I humbly request all of you to return to your respective homes.'