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CNA
5 days ago
- Business
- CNA
Thousands rally in Nepali pro-monarchy protests
KATHMANDU: Thousands of Nepali royalists marched in the capital Kathmandu on Friday (May 30), demanding the restoration of the monarchy and chanting slogans in support of the king deposed 17 years ago. The Hindu-majority nation became a secular republic 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. The protests are the latest in a string of rallies, as support for the restoration of the monarchy and a Hindu state has grown amid dissatisfaction over political instability, corruption and slow economic development. "King, come and save the nation", the marchers shouted in unison, beating drums, blowing horns and waving Nepal's national flag. "I am here to fight against this corrupt system," said Prem Bahadur Magar, 58. "We need a constitutional monarchy and a Hindu nation to preserve our national identity." Magar travelled to Kathmandu for the rally from his home, about 200km away. Riot police stood guard but there were no immediate reports of any violence. "Seventeen years ago, I came to the streets to protest and overthrow the monarchy," he said. "But now, I feel sorry for that. Now I realise that the king was far better than these corrupt leaders." "JUST A DAYDREAM" The rally comes a day after the Communist Party of Nepal Unified Marxist-Leninist (CPN-UML) – the party of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli – held marches to mark the Himalayan nation's Republic Day. There were also royalist marches on Thursday. CPN-UML party supporter Bijay Lama, 34, said the return of the king was "just a daydream", saying that most in the nation of some 30 million people wanted the republic to remain. "If a few thousand people call for the return of the monarchy, this is simply not possible", Lama said, during the rally on Thursday. In March, two people were killed and more than 100 arrested during pro-monarchy protests, with security forces using live fire and tear gas to disperse the rally. The last king of Nepal, Gyanendra Shah, expressed sorrow at the violent demonstrations the following month – while lending tacit support. Shah was crowned in 2001 after his elder brother king Birendra Bir Bikram Shah and his family were killed in a palace massacre. His coronation took place as a Maoist insurgency was raging in far-flung corners of Nepal. Shah suspended the constitution and dissolved parliament in 2005, triggering protests in which the Maoists sided with Nepal's political establishment – leading to the eventual end of the war.


Times of Oman
5 days ago
- General
- Times of Oman
Nepali royalists launch new phase of protest for restoration of monarchy, ruling CPN-UML counters in defence of republic
Kathmandu: Nepali royalists on Thursday launched a new phase of protest for the restoration of monarchy, which saw hundreds of people chant slogans on the street on the first day. In defence of the republic, a new political system adopted in 2008 in Nepal, t he ruling CPN-UML (Communist Party of Nepal--Unified Marxist Leninist) also held a counterprotest in the streets of Kathmandu in defence of the republic. The ruling party, led by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, organised a march in Kathmandu on Republic Day, entitled "Republic Mahotsav." "The public became the rulers from this day onwards, following this pursuit, the CPN-UML today is marking the Republic Day as 'utsav' (grand celebration). The party, as well as I personally request everyone to strengthen the voice in support of the republic," Surya Dhakal, lawmaker from the CPN-UML, told ANI as he participated in the rally. The ruling party cadres and supporters chanted slogans in support of the republic as they marched along the streets of the capital. In the wake of possible tensions, the local administration had designated two different areas and timings for the two groups to converge on the street. But the royalist forces, who claimed to have started a "joint people's movement", forging a committee, attempted to block the roadways for the parading cadres of the ruling parties. Police held the royalists on the side until the ruling party's parade passed by. The royalist right-wing Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), the fifth largest party in the lower house of parliament, claimed that it would bring 25000 people onto the streets. As per the estimate of Nepal Police, about 3000 protestors hit the streets of Kathmandu. Encouraged by rising frustration with the incumbent system, the royalist group of about 40 different factions has been demanding restoration of the Hindu kingdom, abolition of federalism, and a directly elected prime ministerial system, among other things. Restoration of the constitutional monarchy has been their bottom line. Nepal, a Hindu kingdom, was declared a federal, secular, and republican state in 2008. "We will reinstate him in Narayanhiti Palace (former royal palace) and coronate him, then only we will return back. Our protest will continue until we achieve it. All of our leaders- Rajendra Lingden, Gyanendra Shahi all are determined. This time we are here with about 40 different factions moving ahead together. We are on this movement unifying the hearts of people, and that would make the heart of the king," Sunita Gajmer, a royalist, told ANI. Formed in the 1990s after the lifting of the ban on the formation of political parties by the then-monarchical system, the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) has since served as a force always supporting the Kingship. It has also been taking part in periodic elections and presenting its demands. In 2008, right after the overthrow of the monarchy rule in Nepal, the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) secured 8 seats in the Constituent Assembly out of the 575-seat parliament. In the 2013 election, it was able to secure 13 seats. In 2017, it fell down to 1 seat, but it bounced back in the 2022 election with 14 seats. Since its inception, the party has supported the Hindu State and Kingship as interdependent in the tiny nation buffered between two giants, India and China. The Himalayan Nation of Nepal has a population of 30.55 million and a Hindu population of 81.19%, as per the census of 2022. The Monarch of the Himalayan Nation, which follows the lineage of the Shah dynasty, was revered as an incarnation of the Hindu god Bishnu. With abolishment monarchy it got limited to a very small group which now again is reemerging.


India Gazette
5 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Nepali royalists launch new phase of protest for restoration of monarchy, ruling CPN-UML counters in defence of republic
Kathmandu [Nepal], May 30 (ANI): Nepali royalists on Thursday launched a new phase of protest for the restoration of monarchy, which saw hundreds of people chant slogans on the street on the first day. In defence of the republic, a new political system adopted in 2008 in Nepal, the ruling CPN-UML (Communist Party of Nepal--Unified Marxist Leninist) also held a counterprotest in the streets of Kathmandu in defence of the republic. The ruling party, led by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, organised a march in Kathmandu on Republic Day, entitled 'Republic Mahotsav.' 'The public became the rulers from this day onwards, following this pursuit, the CPN-UML today is marking the Republic Day as 'utsav' (grand celebration). The party, as well as I personally request everyone to strengthen the voice in support of the republic,' Surya Dhakal, lawmaker from the CPN-UML, told ANI as he participated in the rally. The ruling party cadres and supporters chanted slogans in support of the republic as they marched along the streets of the capital. In the wake of possible tensions, the local administration had designated two different areas and timings for the two groups to converge on the street. But the royalist forces, who claimed to have started a 'joint people's movement', forging a committee, attempted to block the roadways for the parading cadres of the ruling parties. Police held the royalists on the side until the ruling party's parade passed by. The royalist right-wing Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), the fifth largest party in the lower house of parliament, claimed that it would bring 25000 people onto the streets. As per the estimate of Nepal Police, about 3000 protestors hit the streets of Kathmandu. Encouraged by rising frustration with the incumbent system, the royalist group of about 40 different factions has been demanding restoration of the Hindu kingdom, abolition of federalism, and a directly elected prime ministerial system, among other things. Restoration of the constitutional monarchy has been their bottom line. Nepal, a Hindu kingdom, was declared a federal, secular, and republican state in 2008. 'We will reinstate him in Narayanhiti Palace (former royal palace) and coronate him, then only we will return back. Our protest will continue until we achieve it. All of our leaders- Rajendra Lingden, Gyanendra Shahi all are determined. This time we are here with about 40 different factions moving ahead together. We are on this movement unifying the hearts of people, and that would make the heart of the king,' Sunita Gajmer, a royalist, told ANI. Formed in the 1990s after the lifting of the ban on the formation of political parties by the then-monarchical system, the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) has since served as a force always supporting the Kingship. It has also been taking part in periodic elections and presenting its demands. In 2008, right after the overthrow of the monarchy rule in Nepal, the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) secured 8 seats in the Constituent Assembly out of the 575-seat parliament. In the 2013 election, it was able to secure 13 seats. In 2017, it fell down to 1 seat, but it bounced back in the 2022 election with 14 seats. Since its inception, the party has supported the Hindu State and Kingship as interdependent in the tiny nation buffered between two giants, India and China. The Himalayan Nation of Nepal has a population of 30.55 million and a Hindu population of 81.19%, as per the census of 2022. The Monarch of the Himalayan Nation, which follows the lineage of the Shah dynasty, was revered as an incarnation of the Hindu god Bishnu. With abolishment monarchy it got limited to a very small group which now again is reemerging. (ANI)


Indian Express
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Keep Kathmandu under your control: PM Oli asks party workers as pro-monarchists plan indefinite stir
As the top leaders of the pro-monarchy movement began a door-to-door drive seeking public support ahead of launching their 'indefinite campaign' on May 29, Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli Sunday asked his supporters to keep Kathmandu under their control on the day. Addressing a meeting organised by the state committee of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist), which Oli heads, he asked the party members to remain prepared to defeat the monarchists. 'That day Kathmandu must be fully under your control from 11 am to 2 pm. You should remain prepared from this moment to handle the pro-monarchy supporters, for which you don't have to wait for further instructions from the party,' Oli said, literally asking his cadres to physically confront the pro-monarchy activists, if need be. The pro-monarchy leaders are planning to launch an indefinite campaign on May 29, the day the monarchy was abolished in the country 17 years ago. Nepal's political parties through a Parliament declaration abolished the 240-year-old monarchy in 2008 and turned the erstwhile Hindu kingdom to a secular, federal, democratic republic. Oli's appeal is virtual reiteration of his call to party workers on March 26, – you must leap like tiger and attack the monarchist – which culminated on massive repression by the security forces on the pro-monarchy rally on March 28 in which at least two people lost their lives and over 20 people were injured. In another programme on Saturday, Oli had instructed his youth workers to crush leaders who are calling for the monarchy's return. Top leaders of the movement for restoration of monarchy, including its convener Nabaraj Subedi; Kamal Thapa and Rajendra Lingden —both former deputy PMs – and Keshar Bista, a former minister, along with their supporters have been meeting people directly, urging them to participate in their indefinite movement beginning May 29 so that the 'corrupt' regime is ousted and Nepal's 'Hindu Kingdom' identity is restored.


The Print
23-05-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Conspiracy of regressive forces to reinstate monarchy will be foiled, says Oli
He urged people not to dream of reinstatement of monarchy, the system that the Nepali people have already abolished. Oli, who is also the chairman of the ruling Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist), made the remarks while inaugurating the 10th national general convention of the National Youth Association, the youth wing of the party, on Friday. Kathmandu, May 23 (PTI) Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli has said that the ruling CPN-UML would remain at the front to foil all kinds of regressive activities and protect citizen's rights and sovereignty of the country. Referring to former chancellor of Nepal Academy Jagman Gurung that he spread a 'baseless rumour' that former king Gyanendra Shah's birth chart showed he would return to power, Oli said, 'It is useless to dwell on former king's horoscope, but the fate of citizens. The astrologers can observe my birth chart. The royal crown cannot be imagined any more in Nepal.' He called on the pro-monarchists 'not to dream when we, the people fighting against monarchy, are still alive'. Oli made the remarks in the wake of fresh call of series of agitations by pro-monarchist Rastriya Prajatantra Party starting from May 29 with the twin aims of reinstating monarchy and to establish a Hindu nation in the country. The prime minister called upon his party's youth wing to come forward with preparation to curb such untoward efforts. According to the prime minister, the CPN-UML and all patriotic forces could work in unison to expose such baseless rumours. PTI SBP GSP GSP This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.