GUWAHATI: A protest demanding the restoration of Nepal as a Hindu kingdom turned violent in Kathmandu’s Tinkune on Friday, March 28, leaving multiple security personnel and demonstrators injured.
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According to reports, clashes erupted when pro-monarchy demonstrators attempted to breach police barricades, leading to a confrontation with security forces. Protesters began pelting stones, prompting the police to respond with tear gas to disperse the crowd. Several members of the Nepal Police and Armed Police Force sustained injuries, along with multiple protesters. Some of the wounded were reportedly taken to Kantipur Hospital in Tinkune for treatment.
The protest, led by the Nawaraj Subedi-led joint movement committee, also reportedly saw strong mobilisation from local businessman Durga Prasai. The Rajendra Lingden-led pro-monarchy Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) expressed support for the demonstration. Initially announced as a peaceful rally, the protest turned violent as demonstrators vandalised roadside buildings and set one structure ablaze. Windows of multiple buildings were shattered during the chaos.
The unrest in Tinkune is part of a larger wave of royalist resurgence sweeping Nepal, with growing public support for former King Gyanendra. On March 9, tens of thousands of supporters lined the streets to welcome him back to Kathmandu, reflecting rising dissatisfaction with the current republican system.
Since Nepal abolished its monarchy in 2008 and transitioned into a secular federal republic, frustrations over governance, corruption, and economic stagnation have intensified. Many believe the post-monarchy political structure has failed to provide stability or good governance, leading to increased calls for a return to a constitutional monarchy and Nepal’s status as a Hindu state.
The RPP and RPP-Nepal have been at the forefront of this movement, organising mass rallies nationwide.