The atmosphere is unstable due to demonstrations on the return of monarchy
Pro -monarchy forces in Nepal have been showing strength for several months. The protests took place on March 28 to the restoration of Raja Gyanendra and to call Nepal a Hindu state again when the protesters clashed with the police. The police used tear gas and water showers to disperse the angry mob trying to break the barricade. The houses were also set on fire. Curfew was imposed in many areas of the capital Kathmandu. In many areas, counter -demonstrations were also held against the monarchy supporters.
The fast in support of King Gyanendra has important political implications. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli Nepali is leading a strong coalition government with the support of Nepali Communist Party of India (Amale). They are not considered the Prime Minister who see things quietly decreasing. On March 26, he allegedly told his party’s youth branch to oppose the monarchists, “No one can take away the rights for which we have fought.” Youth can best confirm this. If someone dare to destabilize the country, the Youth Federation will retaliate like a tiger. If a regressive power faces us or tries to obstruct development efforts, then we should strongly oppose it.
Performance for monarchy
Nepal abolished the monarchy in 2008 and adopted a democratic constitution in 2015. The Maoists of Nepal made a long armed rebellion against the king’s army from 1996 to 2006. In 2001, Gyanendra became the successor of his brother King Birendra after the shocking massacre inside the palace by Rajkumar Dipendra. Nine other members of the royal family, including King Birendra, were shot by Dipendra in the massacre. Gyanendra remained the king till 2008. Subsequently, Nepal eventually managed to end the monarchy.
Gyanendra was a very unpopular ruler, who tried to overturn the elected governments and maintain his control. Gyanendra’s efforts to bring back the monarchy are related to the mutual discord of Nepal’s political parties and their failure to a large extent. Instead of removing poverty and making necessary development for the people of the country for a long time, these parties have lost a lot of time on political altercation. Corruption is also spread on a large scale.
If any regressive power faces us, we should strongly oppose it
KP Sharma Oli, Prime Minister of Nepal
Many people in Nepal believe that India’s Hindutva forces are encouraging Gyanendra. In a statement issued by eight prominent citizens and intellectuals of Nepal on 24 March, Gyanendra has been warned not to endanger the constitution. The statement said, “The public knows very well that Gyanendra Shah is lobbying India’s political establishment to get back the throne in Nepal. It is the same political class of New Delhi, which wants to continuously intervene in the cases of small neighbors of India. It is well known that the political leadership of New Delhi is unhappy with the Constitution of Nepal (2015) and wants to establish a ‘Hindu kingdom’ by abolishing secularism in Nepal to take electoral benefits in India.
Despite corruption and disappointment from political parties, the people of Nepal are not ready to welcome the king, although a section is still in support of the monarchy. India and China are eagerly monitoring Nepal’s developments. Both countries want stability in the region and hope that the Nepal home does not slip in another round of war.