The capital city of Kathmandu is under tight security as the pro-monarchy Rashtriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) staged a protest rally on Tuesday, demanding the reinstatement of the monarchy and the establishment of Nepal as a Hindu state.

Thousands of RPP workers and political leaders, along with other monarchy supporters, carried photographs of former king Gyanendra Shah and participated in a rally led by Party chairman, Rajendra Lingden, at Balkhu in the outskirts of Kathmandu. Besides Lingden, the RPP leaders Pashupati Shumsher Rana and Prakash Chandra Lohani also spoke on the occasion, demanding the immediate release of party leaders arrested during the pro-monarchy protests on March 28 this year. 

Violent protests in Kathmandu city left two people, including a photojournalist, dead and over 110 others injured last month. 

Rally Slogans

“Let’s reinstate the institution of monarchy to save the country,” and “reinstate Nepal as a Hindu state,” read the main slogans of the rally.

“Let’s change the system to change the situation,” read another slogan. 

Countering the crowd at the rally, the government deployed heavy security with over 2000 police officers. Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli held former King Gyanendra Shah responsible for the violence that took place last month in a pro-monarchy rally. He further warned the ex-king of severe actions from the state that has taken an oath under the current Republican Constitution.