Nepali Royalists Demand Referendum

About 1,000 supporters of Nepal’s deposed monarchy gathered in Kathmandu Friday, to demand a referendum on the issue. They also called for Hinduism to be the state religion.

AFP

“We want a public referendum to decide on the fate of the monarchy and whether Nepal should be a Hindu state before the new constitution is completed,” said Kamal Thapa, chairman of the pro-monarchy Rastriya Prajatantra Party.

In addition, the protestors produced a yards long petition of signatures, which they claim are the names of the 2 million Nepali people who want the monarchy back.

In May 2008, King Gyanendra was ousted by a mainly communist government. He was largely unpopular, and many people felt he was responsible for the June 2001 massacre of the royal family, including his more popular brother, King Binendra.