- विज्ञापन -
Kathmandu: Former King Gyanendra Shah has been accused of being the main architect behind the violent protests that have erupted across Nepal this week.
During a crucial meeting of pro-republican political parties convened by Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, Shah was identified as the primary instigator of the violent demonstrations. The parties charged him with undermining the constitution and conspiring to destabilize the federal democratic republic.
Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak stated that there is a consensus among the parties to unite in defense of the constitution and to ensure national development and public security. “No anti-constitutional activities will be tolerated,” he told reporters after the meeting.
Despite existing disagreements among various parties, former Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai, who leads the Nepal Samajbadi Party (NSP), urged unity against the recent anti-republican actions linked to Shah. “Gyanendra Shah has long behaved as if he were still a king. The political parties and the government have overlooked this with leniency. However, the incident on March 28 was incited by him and constituted a criminal act. His actions have crossed the line, which is why I have proposed in the all-party meeting that he must face legal action,” Bhattarai remarked.
Notably, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), the fourth and fifth largest parties in Parliament, were not invited to the all-party meeting. These parties are regarded as anti-republic forces, according to the leading Nepalese daily, The Kathmandu Post.
Previously, the RPP, whose two leaders were arrested for their participation in the protests, has called for an investigation into the events. The RPP challenged the government to take responsibility for the violent clashes and demanded the arrest of the former king. “We challenge the government to arrest the former king. It is clear that we should not involve the king in controversy. We will demonstrate our strength if the government dares to arrest him,” RPP chair Rajendra Lingden stated in a press conference.
The party threatened to mobilize supporters in the streets unless their detained leaders, senior vice president Rabindra Mishra and General Secretary Dhawal Sumsher Rana, are released. However, the Kathmandu District Court (KDC) has charged the two leaders with treason and extended their remand until Tuesday.
Additionally, police reported the arrest of around 100 individuals, though only 42 have been brought to court as investigations continue, according to The Himalayan. Tensions escalated in parts of Kathmandu on Friday, resulting in two fatalities and hundreds of injuries during violent clashes between security forces and pro-monarchy demonstrators demanding the restoration of the abolished monarchy in Nepal.
