Leaders from various parties and campaigns advocating for agendas including the reinstatement of monarchy were seen sharing the same stage as they gathered at Shanti Batika in Kathmandu on Monday afternoon.
They staged a "public demonstration,” asserting that prisoners of conscience must be released and that laws prohibiting opposition to secularism and republicanism must not be enacted.
The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), RPP Nepal, “Joint People's Movement Committee”, Rastriya Shakti Nepal, among others, took part in the demonstration.
RPP Nepal Chairman Kamal Thapa, RPP Vice-chairman Bikram Pandey and General Secretary Dhawal Shumsher Rana, “Joint People's Movement Committee” Coordinator Nawaraj Subedi, and Rastriya Shakti Nepal Chairman Keshar Bahadur Bista, and others took part in the demonstration.
RPP Chairman Rajendra Lingden was also invited to the event. He arrived slightly late as he had gone to the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament to submit an investigation report on Pokhara International Airport.
On March 28, royalists staged a protest led by Durga Prasai in the Tinkune area of Kathmandu. After the protest turned violent, police arrested RPP Senior Vice-chairman Rabindra Mishra and other leaders and activists.
RPP General Secretary Rana was also arrested, but he was later released on personal guarantee for medical treatment. Rana, who had traveled to Mumbai, India, on April 23, returned on Sunday and attended Monday's event at Shanti Batika.
Meanwhile, RPP Senior Vice-chairman Mishra and Prasai remain in custody. Police are investigating them after obtaining permission from the court.
