Tens of thousands of protesters demanding a restoration of Nepal’s monarchy clash with police

Riot police used batons and tear gas to halt tens of thousands of supporters of Nepal’s former king who attempted to march to the center of the capital on Thursday to demand the restoration of the monarchy and the nation’s former status as a Hindu state.

The protesters, waving the national flag and chanting slogans supporting former King Gyanendra, gathered on the edge of Kathmandu and attempted to move toward the center of the city.

Riot police blocked them, beating them with bamboo batons and firing tear gas and a water cannon.

A policeman fires tear gas towards protesters during a rally demanding a restoration of Nepal’s monarchy in Kathmandu, Nepal on Nov. 23, 2023. AP

There were minor injuries on both sides.

Authorities had banned protests in key areas of the city prior to the rally.

“We love our king and country more than our lives. Bring back the monarchy. Abolish the republic,” the crowd chanted.

An injured girl is being taken to the hospital after the clashes between Nepal Police personnel and pro-monarchy supporters during a demonstration against the Nepal’s Federal Democratic Republic system at Balkhu. ZUMAPRESS.com

Supporters of the former king came to Kathmandu from all over the country to demand the return of the monarchy that was abolished in 2008.

They accused the government and political parties of corruption and failed governance.

Weeks of street protests in 2006 forced then-King Gyanendra to abandon his authoritarian rule and introduce democracy.

A riot police personnel gets a hit on his helmet during the clash with Pro-monarchist protesters as they protest demanding the restoration of Nepal’s monarchy in Nepal on Nov. 23, 2023. REUTERS

Two years later, a newly elected parliament voted to abolish the monarchy and declared Nepal a republic with a president as head of state.

Since then, Gyanendra has been living as a private citizen with no power or state protection.

He still has some support among the people but little chance of returning to power.

Protesters waved the national flag and chanted slogans supporting former King Gyanendra, who now lives as a private citizen with no power or state protection. EPA

The demonstrators also demanded that Nepal be turned back into a Hindu state.

The Himalayan nation was declared a secular state in 2007 by an interim constitution.