Nepal’s new tax on Indian goods sparks border protests and strains the roti beti bond

Women along the border say daily essentials now cost more

Nepal has begun strictly enforcing a customs duty rule on Indian goods, triggering protests across Bihar and Nepal’s Terai. Border communities describe how the change is disrupting weekly trade routines and raising the cost of everyday essentials. Many women, especially, argue the move weakens the “roti-beti” relationship—once rooted in family ties—by making cross-border dependence more fragile.