Thousands rally in Nepal, demanding the reinstatement of the ousted royal family.
NEPAL: Thousands Demand Restoration of Monarchy and Return of Former King
Thousands of protesters flooded the streets of Kathmandu, Nepal, on Thursday, advocating for the reinstatement of the monarchy and the appointment of the former king as the head of state. The demonstrations were marked by the display of flags and passionate chants, with some participants playing traditional drums and musical instruments.
The protesters' demands include the return of King Gyanendra Shah and the re-establishment of Hinduism as the state religion, moves that would reverse decisions made in 2008, when Nepal abolished its centuries-old monarchy and adopted a republican system with a president as the head of state.
A mere few hundred meters from the pro-monarchy demonstrators, supporters of Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli gathered at an exhibition ground to celebrate Republic Day. Tensions between the two groups mounted, with fears of potential clashes and disorder in the city. To prevent any escalation, riot police maintained a barrier between the two rallies, with authorities granting each group permits to carry out their protests at different times.
In response, Dil Nath Giri, a supporter of the former king, declared their resolve to continue protests until the ancient monarchy is restored, and the nation is transformed into a Hindu-dominated state to serve the nation's interest. The pro-monarchy activists have restarted their protests from Thursday, following their last demonstration on March 28, which resulted in two deaths (one a television cameraman) and several arrests due to violent confrontations.
Royalists have been expressing growing support for King Gyanendra's reinstatement and the reinstatement of Hinduism as the state religion in recent months. These groups accuse the country's major political parties of corruption and inept governance, asserting that the public is increasingly discontent with the political class.
Despite the growing movement, experts believe that the former king has a slim chance of immediately returning to power. The ongoing protests highlight the ongoing struggle with political instability and public dissatisfaction with the government in Nepal.
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