Fact Check: Fake Post Goes Viral Alleging Balen Made Objectionable Comments About Indigenous And Dalit Communities

Kathmandu: Since Monday, a post appearing as a screenshot of the official Facebook page of Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balendra Shah (Balen) has been circulating widely on social media. The screenshot claims that Balen used derogatory language against various caste and community groups.

An investigation by the TechPana Fact Check Desk has confirmed that the post is misleading. The screenshot was edited. Balen did not make such a post.

Claim

On Monday, January 12, 2026, at 11:10 am, a Facebook page named ‘Dr-Mitra Pariyar’, which has more than 51,000 followers, uploaded a post. The caption reads: “😡What is the attitude of the man who has been nominated as the future Prime Minister by the Rashtriya Swatantra Party (RSP) towards indigenous community and Dalits? Did he keep Rima, Prakash and Khagendra in the party just for show? Are all Tamangs ‘Bhote Kukur’? ………Apologize immedately…!” (Translated)

The post includes a screenshot that appears to be from Balen’s official Facebook page. The screenshot shows his page name, profile photo, and verified checkmark. Below it, the following text is visible: “Today, a Bhote Kukkur has the left ocean of the Rashtriya Swatantra Party (RSP) like a kami. These chaffs must be removed from the Rashtriya Swatantra Party (RSP). There is only a place for rice, not chaffs.”

As of the time of writing, the post has received nearly 700 reactions, more than 1,000 comments, and has been shared 64 times. See the original post, archived post, and screenshot.

Investigation

The viral post claims to be a statement by Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balendra Shah (Balen) targeting Kulman Ghising after the Ujjaya Nepal Party split from the (RSP). The TechPana Fact Check Desk searched for similar posts. During the process, a Facebook user named ‘Ganesh BK’was found to have posted an image expressing his opinion. His caption reads: “If this status of the person who has identified himself as Lucifer, the alleged future Prime Minister, is true, immediately apologize to the Nepali Dalit movement. Otherwise, the Dalit movement will punish you.” (Translated)

The image attached to that post also shows Balen’s Facebook page name, profile photo, and verified checkmark at the top, with the same controversial text below. See the original post, archived post, and screenshot.

Similarly, Jana Aastha Online published a news article titled “What kind of language is this of the future Prime Minister?” (Translated). The article includes an image that appears to be a screenshot of Balen Shah’s Facebook page and claims that he used offensive language against Kulman Ghising. See the original post, archived post, and screenshot.

A Facebook page named ‘Truth of Nepal’ also published a post styled as a news report titled “Offensive words against Kulman Ghising: Balen Shah’s statement sparks controversy.” The post claims the controversy began after Balen posted objectionable remarks on his official Facebook page. See the original post and screenshot.

In addition, a Facebook user named ‘Samtem Moktan’ shared the same image in a Facebook group called ‘Tamang Git Sangitko Sangrahalaya’. See the original post, archived post, and screenshot.

A closer examination of the viral screenshot shows clear signs of digital manipulation. The profile photo, page name, verified checkmark, and the three-dot menu icon appear to have been added later. Parts of the original image background have been erased.

The text below the photo is centered and bold. Facebook does not provide an option to bold or center text when posting a status. The font quality of the text is also noticeably higher than the image above it, indicating that the text was added separately.

Several portions of the image appear to have been cut or removed. These inconsistencies confirm that the screenshot was edited.

After confirming the manipulation, we checked Balen Shah’s official Facebook page and profile. No such post was found. We also searched for news reports related to any such statement by Balen, but no credible or professional media outlet has reported this claim.

The TechPana Fact Check Desk has previously debunked multiple fake screenshots circulated under Balen’s name. See Fact Check 1, Fact Check 2, Fact Check 3, Fact Check 4, Fact Check 5.

Claim

Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balendra Shah (Balen) posted a Facebook status using offensive and derogatory terms such as “Bhote Kukkur” and “Kami,” targeting Kulman Ghising and the Dalit and Tamang communities.

Claimant

Jana Aastha Media, Facebook pages and users including Mitra Pariyar, Ganesh BK, Truth of Nepal, and Samtem Moktan.

Fact

The viral screenshot shows clear signs of digital editing. Balen’s profile photo, name, and verified checkmark were added later. Facebook does not allow bold or center-aligned text in status posts. No such content appears on Balen Shah’s official Facebook page or profile. No reliable or professional media outlet has reported any such statement by Balen Shah.

Conclusion

The Facebook post circulating in the name of Balendra Shah (Balen) is completely fake. The screenshot was digitally edited to spread misinformation and incite controversy.

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