KATHMANDU: Nepal witnessed intense political unrest as supporters of former King Gyanendra Shah staged a protest demanding the reinstatement of the constitutional monarchy. What began as a demonstration escalated into violent clashes in Kathmandu, leading to fatalities, injuries, and widespread destruction.
On Friday, the pro-monarchy rally turned chaotic when demonstrators began pelting stones, attacking political party offices, and setting fire to vehicles and shops in the capital. Authorities confirmed that at least two people lost their lives in the violence, including a journalist and a protester, while over 112 individuals sustained injuries. In response, police deployed rubber bullets, live rounds fired into the air, water cannons, and tear gas to disperse the crowd.
As tensions flared, security forces were deployed to restore order, and a curfew was imposed in parts of Kathmandu from late Friday afternoon until Saturday morning. Law enforcement agencies have arrested at least 105 individuals linked to the violence, including prominent leaders of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), such as General Secretary Dhawal Shumsher Rana and central member Rabindra Mishra. However, Durga Prasai, a key figure leading the agitation, remains at large, with police intensifying efforts to locate him.
The Demand for Monarchy Restoration
The protest was driven by demands for Nepal’s return to a constitutional monarchy and a Hindu kingdom, a system abolished in 2008 after a decade-long Maoist insurgency that claimed nearly 17,000 lives. The monarchy was dissolved as Nepal transitioned into a secular federal republic, ending 239 years of Shah dynasty rule.
Gyanendra Shah, Nepal’s last king, has lived as a private citizen in Kathmandu since his ousting. Though he has largely stayed out of the political limelight, he recently made several public appearances, which many believe reignited the pro-monarchy sentiment. His supporters argue that Nepal has suffered from political instability since the abolition of the monarchy, with the country witnessing 14 different governments in just 16 years. Many Nepalese, frustrated by economic stagnation, corruption, and a lack of opportunities, have migrated abroad in search of better prospects.
Ahead of the protests, a growing number of citizens voiced their dissatisfaction with Nepal’s current governance. One protester, Mina Subedi, expressed disappointment over the state of the nation, stating that Nepal should have progressed significantly in terms of job opportunities, governance, and corruption eradication.
Escalation of Violence
The demonstration took a violent turn when Durga Prasai, leading the protest, breached security barricades in a bulletproof vehicle, heading towards the parliament building in Baneshwor. In the ensuing clashes, protesters vandalized buildings, torched government and private vehicles, and attacked media houses, including the Kantipur Television building and Annapurna Media House. Officials reported that 14 buildings were set ablaze and nine were heavily damaged.
Security personnel were also caught in the violence, with 53 police officers, 22 armed police force members, and 35 protesters suffering injuries. The government swiftly condemned the unrest, with Minister of Communication and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung calling it an act of “vandalism, arson, looting, and anarchy.”
Government Response and Political Fallout
Nepal’s ruling government, led by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, widely known as ‘Prachanda,’ has taken a firm stance against the monarchy’s revival. Prachanda, who once led the Maoist rebellion that contributed to the monarchy’s downfall, called for strict action against Gyanendra Shah, accusing him of orchestrating the unrest. He asserted that Nepalese citizens would not revert to a monarchical system and urged the government to bring those responsible for the violence to justice.
Meanwhile, opposition parties have mobilized thousands in counter-demonstrations in support of Nepal’s republican system. The nation remains divided, with political tensions simmering between monarchist supporters and those advocating for the continuation of the democratic republic.
Nepal’s Political Crossroads
Nepal’s political landscape remains highly unstable, with citizens growing increasingly disillusioned with the government’s inability to address economic struggles and governance failures. As frustrations mount, the resurgence of pro-monarchy sentiments suggests that a significant portion of the population views the past system as a potential solution to the country’s ongoing challenges.
While Nepal’s leadership is determined to uphold the republican framework, the recent protests indicate that political turmoil is far from over. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether the government can restore stability or if the push for monarchy revival will gain further momentum.
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