Nepal sees massive pro-monarchy protests calling for king’s return

Tens of thousands of protesters demonstrated in Nepal on Thursday, demanding the restoration of the abolished monarchy and the reinstatement of the former king as the head of state of the Himalayan nation.

The protesters, waving flags and chanting slogans, demanded the return of the king and the restoration of Hinduism as a state religion as they marched through the main circle in the capital, Kathmandu.

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Tensions Rise as Rival Groups Rally on Republic Day: Heavy Police Presence in some area of Nepal to Prevents Clashes

Just a few hundred meters (yards) from the pro-monarchy protesters, their opponents, who are supporters of the Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli, had gathered at the exhibition grounds to celebrate Republic Day. There was fear that these two groups could likely clash and create trouble in the city. Hundreds of riot police kept the two groups apart and authorities had given them permission on different times to carry out their rallies.

Nepal abolished the monarchy and turned the nation into a republic in 2008, bringing in a president as the head of the state. “Bring king back to the throne and save the country. We love our king more than our lives,” the estimated 20,000 protesters chanted with a few playing traditional drums and musical instruments.

Dil Nath Giri, a supporter of the former king, said at the rally, “We will continue our protests until we bring back the centuries-old monarchy and turn the country into a Hindu state for the interest of the nation.” The pro-monarchy supporters had announced they were restarting their protests from Thursday. In their last protest on March 28, protesters attacked buildings and set them on fire, while police fired bullets and tear gas at them, killing two people, including a television cameraman. Several protesters arrested on that day are still in jail.

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Calls for Monarchy Resurface Amid Political Discontent, but Gyanendra’s Return Remains Unlikely

In recent months, people have increasingly demanded the reinstatement of Gyanendra Shah as king and the restoration of Hinduism as the state religion. Royalist groups accuse the country’s major political parties of corruption and failed governance, and they say politicians have frustrated the public. Massive street protests in 2006 forced Gyanendra to give up his authoritarian rule, and two years later the parliament voted to abolish the monarchy. Gyanendra, who left the Royal Palace to live as commoner, has not commented on the calls for the return of monarchy. Despite growing support, the former king has little chance of immediately returning to power.

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