Nepal protesters demanding restoration of monarchy, return to Hindu state, clash with police
- The Hindu-majority nation became a secular republic with a federal system in 2008, after parliament abolished the monarchy as part of a peace deal that ended a civil war
- Support has been brewing for restoring the monarchy and a Hindu state as dissatisfaction grows over political instability, corruption and a sluggish economy
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Nepali police on Tuesday fired tear gas and water cannons as thousands marched in the capital Kathmandu demanding the restoration of a constitutional monarchy and a Hindu state.
The Hindu-majority nation became a secular republic with a federal system in 2008, after parliament abolished the monarchy as part of a peace deal that ended a decade-long civil war in which more than 16,000 people were killed.
Supporters of the former King Gyanendra attempted to crash through police barricades in a bid to reach the offices of the prime minister and other key government departments.
“Restoration of the monarchy, a Hindu nation and abolishment of the federal system are our demands,” said Mohan Shrestha, spokesman for the Rastriya Prajatantra Party which organised the demonstration. It is the fifth-largest party in the parliament.
“We love our king and country more than our lives. Bring back the monarchy. Abolish the republic,” protesters chanted near government buildings in the centre of the capital as they blew conch shells.
Police spokesman Nawaraj Adhikari said that police fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse the demonstrators after they broke into a restricted area.
Support has been brewing for the restoration of the monarchy and a Hindu state as dissatisfaction grows in the Himalayan country over political instability, corruption and slow economic development.
The party had submitted a 40-point memorandum to the prime minister’s office in February, which also included demands to control corruption and ensure good governance.
“These beasts have ruined our nation with corruption and lawlessness,” said Tanka Prasad Khatiwada, 80, who came from eastern Nepal to join the protest.
“To save our identity and culture, there is no other way than restoring the monarchy.”
Gyanendra Shah, 76, the last king of Nepal, has largely refrained from public comment on the country’s fractious politics and calls for the monarchy’s restoration.
Shah was crowned in 2001 after his elder brother Birendra Bir Bikram Shah and his family were killed in a massacre that wiped out most of the royal family.
Weeks of street protests in 2006 forced Gyanendra to abandon his authoritarian rule and cede power back to Parliament. Two years later, Parliament voted to abolish the centuries-old monarchy.
Since then, Gyanendra has been living as a private citizen with no power or state protection. He still has some support, but little chance of returning to power.
Royalist groups accuse the country’s major political parties of corruption and failed governance and say people are frustrated with politicians. Nepal has had 13 governments since the monarchy was abolished.
