Kathmandu Erupts in Violence as Pro-Monarchy Protesters Clash with Police

Violent clashes shook Kathmandu on March 28, 2025, as thousands of pro-monarchy demonstrators took to the streets, demanding the restoration of Nepal’s monarchy. The protests, spearheaded by businessman Durga Prasai and the Nawaraj Subedi-led joint movement committee, quickly escalated into chaos, with rioters vandalizing buildings, smashing windows, and even setting one structure on fire near Tinkune, close to Tribhuvan International Airport.

The government had anticipated trouble and stationed more than 3,500 police officers across Kathmandu. As demonstrators tried to breach police barricades, law enforcement responded with tear gas, water cannons, and rubber bullets. The situation became so volatile that authorities imposed a curfew in Tinkune, Sinamangal, and Koteshwor to prevent further escalation.

Adding to the tensions, a counter-demonstration by pro-republican groups, led by the Socialist Front, took place at Bhrikutimandap in support of Nepal’s federal democratic system. While both factions had obtained official permission for their protests, the simultaneous rallies intensified security concerns, with authorities struggling to prevent direct confrontations.

The resurgence of pro-monarchy sentiment underscores deep-rooted frustrations with Nepal’s current political landscape. Since the monarchy was abolished in 2008, Nepal has faced chronic political instability, corruption scandals, and sluggish economic growth. Many citizens, particularly the younger generation, feel disillusioned by the promises of democracy that have yet to translate into real progress. The pro-monarchy movement, largely fueled by nostalgia for the stability of the past, has gained momentum in recent years, with figures like Prasai emerging as vocal critics of the government.

In response to the unrest, the Ministry of Home Affairs held an emergency meeting, authorizing police to take decisive action if necessary. The government faces a critical challenge—balancing the right to protest with maintaining order in a politically divided nation. While Nepal's republican system remains intact, the growing calls for a return to monarchy suggest that the debate over the country’s governance is far from settled.