KATHMANDU, April 9: The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) staged a peaceful demonstration in Balkhu, Kathmandu, on Tuesday, calling for the reinstatement of a constitutional monarchy and the declaration of Nepal as a Hindu state.
RPP Spokesperson Mohan Shrestha said the protest concluded peacefully, with no force used by security personnel. He added that the party now plans to center its future protests in the capital, beginning on Baisakh 7.
“From tomorrow, we will start preparing for our Kathmandu-focused campaign,” Shrestha said. “Further programs will be announced based on how the situation unfolds.”
The demonstration came just days after a violent protest in Tinkune on March 28, organized by royalist factions led by Nabaraj Subedi and Durga Prasai. Anticipating possible unrest, residents and businesses in Balkhu remained on edge, with many shopkeepers closing early.
RPP stages demonstration in Kathmandu demanding restoration of...
Security was heightened from the early morning, with police deployed at key locations including the offices of the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML, as well as the Bhatbhateni supermarket in Kalanki. On March 28, protesters had vandalized these areas, prompting authorities to take extra precautions.
Determined to avoid a repeat of the Tinkune violence—which had drawn widespread criticism and damaged the royalist movement's image—both police and protest organizers focused on ensuring Tuesday’s event remained peaceful. Unlike in Tinkune, RPP leaders refrained from making inflammatory remarks.
RPP cleans up program venue, KMC Mayor Balen responds
Following the rally, RPP supporters cleaned up litter from the protest site. Before the cleanup, RPP Chair Rajendra Lingden addressed Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balen Shah, urging him not to issue fines. “I request Balenji not to act like a hero and slap us with penalties. We will clean everything ourselves. Let the media and civil society witness it—there will be no trash left behind,” Lingden said.
In response, Mayor Shah thanked the party for taking responsibility. “The city is not here to impose fines but to ensure that public spaces remain clean,” he wrote on Facebook. “Thank you to RPP for managing today’s cleanup on their own.”
Lingden: ‘Millions ready to be jailed’
Speaking at a post-protest gathering, Lingden accused the government of targeting citizens simply for expressing support for the monarchy. “If that's a crime, then millions of people are ready to go to jail,” he declared. “Power doesn’t stay in one hand forever. Stop treating people like livestock.”
He demanded the unconditional release of detained RPP leaders and warned that such arrests would only strengthen public support for the party. He also criticized the treatment of elected representatives, calling their detention humiliating.
Lingden further alleged that the current Inspector General of Police had previously served as co-chair of the UML-affiliated Youth Association. “We thought the police were following the Home Minister’s orders,” he said, “but now it seems the police chief himself is politically aligned.” He emphasized that the police must remain institutionally neutral and not serve as an extension of political parties.
Other RPP leaders also took aim at the government. Prakash Chandra Lohani said the country was under “Ravana’s rule,” symbolizing arrogance and unchecked power. Deepak Singh claimed that during the Tinkune protest, journalist Suresh Rajak was beaten with a rifle butt before the arson began. Buddhiman Tamang demanded the release of RPP Vice President Rabindra Mishra and General Secretary Dhawal Shumsher Rana.
