After a blood-soaked pro-monarchy parade in Kathmandu that took two lives, including a reporter, Nepal's coalition government requested the arrest of ex-King Gyanendra Shah. Nepal's government blamed Gyanendra for being an active participant in the violence when it broke out in anti-monarchy protests against reinstating the monarchy.

Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli, addressing the parliament, stated that Gyanendra couldn't be absolved of violence. He cited the example that the then king had summoned protest leaders Durga Prasai and Navaraj Subedi to his palace, Nirmal Niwas, a day before the protest. Oli also added that such behavior wouldn't be allowed and promised to take stern action against the people who had attempted to destabilize Nepal's democratic system.

Violence Breaks Out at Pro-Monarchy Protest

The protest, which was being conducted in Kathmandu, became violent within seconds, and two were shot dead and dozens injured. Protesters, who demanded the return of the monarchy, came face to face with security personnel as tensions ran high. The government coalition has characterized the protests as a planned effort to destabilize Nepal's federal democratic system, which was established in 2008 following the abolition of the monarchy.

Coalition Government Refuses to Restore Monarchy

In the wake of the turmoil, senior leadership of major republican parties met at the highest level to come up with a plan to salvage Nepal's constitution and democratic government. Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak remembered that all the partners in the coalition had united with one desire and one intention to maintain the democratic process at any cost, further stating that Nepal's struggle for democracy had cost it decades of hard work and sacrifice.

Any such activities of reversing the current system, he warned, would be met with strength. Similarly, CPN (Maoist Centre) deputy general secretary Shakti Basnet urged political parties to reflect on any measure that has left people discontented, while the former prime minister and Nepal Samajbadi Party chairman Baburam Bhattarai accused Gyanendra of criminal incitement. Opposition Defends the Former King

The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), long sympathetic to the return of the monarchy, rejected the government's allegation.

The party, taking part in the protest in the open, condemned the government position and warned against politicizing the role of the former king.

To this effect, senior RPP leader Binay Rawal challenged the authorities to arrest Gyanendra if they believed he had broken the law. He felt the monarchy should not be dragged into political turmoil and political matters of day-to-day governance.

Undecided Future amid Political Tensions

Until recently, there have been no officially issued arrest warrants or charges brought against Gyanendra Shah.

The political climate is, however, very tense with both sides being unyielding. The government guarantees that no attempt at Nepal's democratic elections will be sabotaged, and yet there are factions who continue to clamor for the reinstatement of the monarchy institution. Since political divergence of a critical nature is brewing, the days ahead will be critical in choosing whether Nepal approaches this highly contentious issue. Debate regarding the role of monarchy in Nepalese society is far from ending, and its next step will determine the country's future political stability.