NEPALI POLITICS

King Gyanendra Shah has expressed deep sorrow over the violent incident at Tinkune during a royalist protest that led to two deaths and cases of arson and looting. At the onset of our New Year 2082, His Majesty in his massage to the nation, has stated that no system is above the freedom of citizens and emphasized that a true democracy must uphold the culture of listening to both praise and criticism. His remarks come amid growing tensions between royalist supporters and the government over the direction of the country’s political system in the recent months and days. Nimkanta Pande’s personal analysis on the King’s New Year 2082 message to the nation is worth listening.

Atrocities of the republican government? Recent peaceful non-republicans, pro-monarchy party and nationalist groups’ peaceful protests went violent soon after the government security forces started shooting the demonstrators with tear gases, live bullets and rubber bullets. Since then, their peaceful protests continue to sweep the nation accusing the government for its high-handedness in the protest. The Oli led republican government has been blamed for instigating the people participating in the peaceful protest to be violent by using excessive forces. Many footages of the atrocities of the government on the peaceful demonstration are now being uploaded and can been in the social media. Support for the pro-monarchy movement has surged recently as the country grapples with on-going political and economic instability that has led to widespread dissatisfaction with the government.

Nation on the verge of confrontation? Thousands of pro-monarchists and nationalists on last Sunday hit along the streets from Trivuwan International Airport, Chabahil, Maharajgunj and upto Nirmal Niwas to welcome the King Gyanendra Shah upon his arrival from Pokhara. He was given a grand welcome by supporters from the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), pro-monarchy organizations and individuals who chanted slogans against the existing political system. These days a hot debate is going on in between the republicans and non-republicans about the King’s recent message on the occasion of democracy day. Different political analysts have put forward their own political opinions about the on-going political situation. Looking at the thousands of people out in the streets to welcome the King, it seems that the time has come for all the political forces, royalists and intellect nationalists to come together and find an amicable way out to solve the existing national political situation ...