Pro-monarchy supporters clash with police in Nepal protest

On March 28, 2025, Nepal experienced significant unrest as supporters of former king Gyanendra Shah clashed with police during a rally in the capital, Kathmandu. The protesters, advocating for the restoration of the monarchy, gathered near the eastern edge of the city, near the airport, with plans for a peaceful demonstration. However, tensions escalated when some protesters drove a white pickup truck into a police barricade, resulting in confrontation. In response, police in riot gear employed tear gas, batons, and water cannons to disperse the crowd, leading to several injuries among both protesters and officers. In the aftermath of the clash, the government imposed a curfew in the affected areas of the city. Reports indicated that at least two individuals lost their lives during these events: one being a television cameraman who was killed when a building he was filming from was set on fire, while another protester died later from injuries sustained during the chaotic scene. Protesters vandalized nearby structures amid the turmoil, setting fire to at least two buildings, further escalating the situation. Significantly, while the rally attracted thousands of royalist supporters, there was also a counter-demonstration occurring simultaneously on the opposite side of the city. Participants in this gathering, organized by opposition parties led by the Maoists, argued against the monarchy's reinstatement, citing the failed governance of political parties and rejecting any notion of reviving a system they believed had been abolished through massive protests in 2006. Among the opposition voices, Ram Kumar Shrestha articulated the view that it was absurd to consider a revival of the monarchy. Despite the growing calls for reinstating the monarchy, especially from royalist groups expressing frustration with current political leaders, there is a widespread agreement that Gyanendra Shah’s return to power is highly unlikely in the immediate future. The complex dynamics of political sentiment in Nepal reveal an ongoing struggle between proponents of the monarchy and supporters of the democratic republic, highlighting the challenges facing the nation as it navigates these contentious political waters.