Nepal in Turmoil: Pro-Monarchy Protests Turn Violent, Leaving Two Dead
Kathmandu, Nepal – March 28, 2025 – Violent clashes erupted in Nepal’s capital as riot police cracked down on thousands of pro-monarchist demonstrators demanding the reinstatement of the abolished monarchy. The protests, which turned into a full-blown confrontation with law enforcement, resulted in at least two deaths, including that of a journalist, as authorities resorted to tear gas, water cannons, and batons to disperse the crowd.
Authorities justified their aggressive response by citing the protesters’ attempts to breach restricted areas in Kathmandu. However, the government’s heavy-handed measures have raised fresh concerns about the state of democracy and freedom of expression in Nepal. Following the escalation, a curfew was imposed to prevent further unrest.
Casualties and Rising Tensions
According to police spokesperson Dinesh Kumar Acharya, one protester was killed in the violence, while a journalist lost his life when a house was set ablaze. Avenues TV confirmed that the deceased journalist was one of their staff members.
Meanwhile, another police spokesperson, Shekhar Khanal, reported that demonstrators had torched a private residence and a vehicle, leading to the arrest of three protesters. Seventeen individuals, including three police personnel, sustained injuries during the clashes.
Nepal’s Political Instability and Public Outrage
The revival of monarchist sentiments comes amid growing disillusionment with Nepal’s political leadership. The country, which transitioned to a secular federal republic in 2008 after abolishing its 239-year-old monarchy, has since struggled with chronic instability. In the 16 years since the monarchy’s dissolution, Nepal has seen the formation of 14 different governments, each failing to deliver lasting economic progress or stability.
The ongoing turmoil has led to a mass exodus of young Nepalis seeking employment abroad, primarily in the Middle East, South Korea, and Malaysia. Frustration over governance failures has fueled movements calling for the restoration of the monarchy, with many believing that the former Hindu kingdom provided better stability compared to the chaotic parliamentary system.
Protests and Police Response
On Friday, thousands of demonstrators, some waving Nepal’s national flag, attempted to breach police barricades to march towards the parliament building. Riot police, facing stone-throwing protesters, retaliated by firing tear gas shells and using rattan sticks to drive them back. Police official Kumar Neupane confirmed that shots were fired into the air in an attempt to control what authorities described as an “unruly” crowd.
Amid the chaos, anti-monarchy demonstrations also took place in Kathmandu. Unlike the pro-monarchist protests, these passed peacefully, raising questions about the police’s selective approach in handling different political movements.
Government’s Justification and Curfew Enforcement
The Ministry of Home Affairs defended the crackdown, alleging that pro-monarchy protesters vandalized private property, a hospital, a political party office, media houses, and a shopping mall. In response, authorities imposed a curfew in the affected areas, initially scheduled to last until 10 PM local time, but with the possibility of extension depending on the security situation.
Kathmandu district administration spokesman Ashok Kumar Bhandari stated that the curfew was necessary to prevent further violence. However, critics argue that the government’s response highlights a broader trend of suppressing dissent rather than addressing the underlying grievances fueling public discontent.
The Monarchy Debate Resurfaces
Since the end of Nepal’s monarchy, former King Gyanendra, now 77, has lived as a private citizen in Kathmandu. While he has largely remained silent, his supporters continue to advocate for his return, citing the failures of successive governments to bring about meaningful change.
Nepal’s political trajectory remains uncertain as the government faces increasing pressure to deliver on economic and governance reforms. With tensions escalating, the call for a return to monarchy is no longer just a nostalgic plea but a growing movement fueled by years of unmet promises and systemic failures.
A Nation at a Crossroads
As Nepal grapples with its political identity, the clashes in Kathmandu serve as a stark reminder of the country’s unresolved tensions. Whether the government can address public frustrations or whether the demand for monarchy’s restoration will gain further momentum remains to be seen. In the meantime, the scars of Friday’s violence linger, adding yet another chapter to Nepal’s turbulent democratic journey.
Reference
Nepal in Turmoil: Pro-Monarchy Protests Turn Violent, Leaving Two Dead