Nepal's Rastriya Prajatantra Party Plans Major Protest Amidst Tensions
Pro-Monarchy Protest Scheduled in Kathmandu
In Kathmandu, the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), which supports the monarchy, is gearing up for a protest on Tuesday at Balkhu. The demonstration aims to demand the restoration of the monarchy and the release of detained party members. Following a previous protest on March 28 in Tinkune that escalated into violence, police are on high alert.
The clashes during the Tinkune protest resulted in two fatalities and numerous injuries among both security forces and demonstrators. Local reports indicate that several pro-monarchy leaders and supporters were apprehended in connection with the unrest.
Nabaraj Subedi, who leads the Joint People’s Movement advocating for the monarchy's reinstatement, is currently under house arrest. Meanwhile, RPP leaders, including Vice-Chair Rabindra Mishra and General Secretary Dhawal Shumsher Rana, remain in police custody.
The Kathmandu District Court has extended the remand for RPP leaders and 39 others as investigations continue into their roles in the violent protests that have shaken Nepal.
The upcoming protest, themed ‘Let’s change the system to change the situation,’ will be spearheaded by RPP Chair Rajendra Lingden and will receive backing from the Joint People’s Movement.
To ensure safety, over 2,000 police personnel will be deployed for the demonstration, according to Dinesh Kumar Acharya, a spokesperson for the Nepal Police. Authorities anticipate a peaceful gathering, given that the RPP holds 14 seats in Parliament. However, they have warned of strict measures against any acts of vandalism or arson.
Tensions have escalated between the government and royalist factions, with both sides accusing each other of inciting violence during the Tinkune protest.
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli recently threatened legal repercussions for pro-monarchy supporters involved in the violent protests, stating that even former King Gyanendra Shah would face consequences if implicated in the March 28 incidents.
During a parliamentary session, Oli urged RPP lawmakers to refrain from undermining the Constitution, emphasizing their obligation to uphold it. His remarks sparked protests from RPP members, with Chair Rajendra Lingden accusing republican parties of fostering corruption since the monarchy's dissolution in 2008.
Lingden questioned whether only the protesters were to blame for the riots, asserting that the government also bore responsibility for maintaining order. He further claimed that security forces had used outdated tear gas, worsening the situation, and called for a judicial commission to investigate the Tinkune events.