Kathmandu, 20 April: Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Chairman Rajendra Lingden has announced that the party will hold a symbolic and peaceful protest against the government. He also urged the government not to be afraid of the protest.
RPP is staging a demonstration today at Bijulibazar in Kathmandu, demanding the reinstatement of the monarchy and the declaration of Nepal as a Hindu state. Earlier, the party had announced its decision to breach the restricted area during the protest.
The Ministry of Home Affairs, drawing attention to the matter, had warned that any attempt to breach the restricted area would be dealt with according to the law.
On the day of the protest, RPP Chairman Lingden wrote on social media, “They talk about democracy, republic, and freedom, yet they restrict the people by saying—‘speak only this much, walk only this path, don’t come even an inch beyond this line.’ This is a symbolic and peaceful protest against such authoritarianism of the government. Only a limited number of our leaders will participate.”
From an ideological perspective, Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) leader Lingden has stated that RPP is now the main opposition party in the country, adding, “We do what we say. The government should not be afraid.”
In view of RPP’s planned protest in Kathmandu today, the police and officials from the District Administration Office have announced that necessary security measures have been put in place.
Durga Prasai, the leader of demanding reinstatement of the monarchy and the declaration of Nepal as a Hindu state
Earlier, on Chaitra 15 (March 28), a pro-monarchy protest held in Kathmandu’s Tinkune area — which included participation from RPP leaders — had turned violent. However, the protest organized by RPP on Chaitra 26 (April 8) in Balkhu was peaceful and disciplined.
As today’s protest is expected to challenge the restricted area, security arrangements have been tightened.
In last month’s protest at Tinkune, two people were killed, and many vehicles and houses were set on fire. Several police officers and protesters were also injured. Durga Prasai the leader of demanding reinstatement of the monarchy and the declaration of Nepal as a Hindu state , who took part in that protest, fled to India fearing a police encounter. Later, he was arrested in India and brought back to Nepal.
