KATHMANDU, April 21: Teachers have blocked roads and refused to negotiate with the government, even on issues that could be resolved through dialogue. While private schools have resumed classes, public school teachers, who shut down schools to join protests, have not returned to their classrooms.
As regressive forces continue to challenge the federal democratic republic, the teachers' refusal to engage with the government raises a critical question: which government are they addressing their demands to?
They have not only stopped checking SEE answer sheets but have also completely halted student admissions to continue protesting. Since April 3, community school teachers have staged demonstrations with a single-point demand: to enact a new School Education Act.
Protests are not limited to teachers. Various groups across the country have taken to the streets. In Taplejung, Koshi Province, identity-based groups recently disrupted cable car construction and barred Yogesh Bhattarai, the Member of Parliament elected from Taplejung, from entering the district. From anti-republican forces to those who claim to support the republic, many are now involved in street protests. Ironically, some who claim to defend the republic have weakened the government by supporting demonstrations that ultimately empower anti-system elements.
Seven different groups have launched street protests as the coalition government of the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML marks nine months in power. Believing that public support for the former king is growing, the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) defied prohibitory orders and staged a protest inside Singha Durbar on Sunday. Although it has drawn only a small crowd, the RPP has aligned itself with the anti-establishment movement.
Some time ago, the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) formed a protest mobilization committee, led by General Secretary Dhawal Shamsher Rana, to intensify its movement in favor of the monarchy. Energized by the king's address on Democracy Day (Falgun 7) and a show of strength in the capital on March 9 supporting the monarchy, the RPP launched a nationwide nationalist movement on March 14. The movement aimed to protect the nation, religion, and culture and to build a dignified Nepal.
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On March 28, a royalist rally, coordinated by former Panchayat official Navaraj Subedi and led by Durga Prasai, turned violent in Tinkune, Kathmandu. In response, the pro-monarchy RPP stepped in to control the movement on April 8. Continuing their efforts, RPP Chairman Rajendra Lingden and other leaders staged a protest inside Singha Durbar on Sunday.
The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) presented a 40-point memorandum to then-Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on February 21, 2024, demanding the establishment of a "constitutional monarchy" in an "enlightened parental role." The RPP's primary demands included creating a Vedic Sanatan Hindu kingdom with "religious freedom in harmony with all religions" and restoring the monarchy.
Controversial businessman Durga Prasai, who has recently identified himself as a monarchist while staying active in the Nepali Congress, CPN (Maoist Centre), and CPN UML, is leading a movement to reinstate the Hindu state and monarchy. His group organized a violent protest on March 28, 2025, which resulted in the deaths of two people.
When Prasai's group organized a protest in Kathmandu's Tinkune area, it turned violent and destructive, prompting the police to use force to control the situation. Although the police justified their actions as necessary and proportional, emerging facts indicated that the home ministry had mishandled the situation. In a press conference on April 2, the police reported firing 58 rounds and confirmed that 21 people had been injured by gunshots.
During the protest, Sabin Maharjan died from police gunfire, while Avenue TV journalist Suresh Rajak perished after protesters set fire to his home.
The Socialist Front, which includes the CPN (Maoist Center), is preparing to launch a protest. The front consists of the CPN (Maoist Center), CPN (Unified Socialist), Nepal Communist Party (NCP), and Nepal Samajbadi Party (NSP). These parties have announced their intention to intensify protests against the government's failures and weaknesses. At the same time, as royalists have taken to the streets in opposition to the republic, the front has pledged to resist this movement. The front also held a gathering at Bhrikutimandap on March 28.
CPN (Unified Socialist), a member of the front, has formed a central protest coordination committee under the leadership of General Secretary Ghanshyam Bhusal. He explained that the movement was launched to free politics from the game of power and the manipulation of upcoming elections. "This movement has started to free politics from the game of power and the manipulation of upcoming elections," General Secretary Bhusal said while announcing the protest programs.
He described the movement as a revolutionary initiative against unemployment and misgovernance, emphasizing cooperation among revolutionaries to develop national capital and prepare for socialism. During the movement, he submitted a memorandum to the provincial government and district administration office on April 18, 2025. He also outlined plans to hold public dialogues and gather suggestions at the municipal and ward levels by April 28, submit memorandums to municipal and ward offices between May 2 and 5, and announce the second phase of the program on the 25th.
Madhes-based parties are also preparing for a movement. They have planned protests, including demands for constitutional amendments. The seven Terai-Madesh-based parties formed a political front for the fourth time in the last week of Chaitra and are rehearsing for the movement. They have stated that they need to form a front to protect federalism and the republic.
The Election Commission has drafted a law to impose a two-party system in the country, and Congress and UML have teamed up to eliminate opposition in parliament. Their proposal to raise the threshold limit in elections seeks to wipe out smaller parties. In response, seven parties have united to form the "Federal Democratic Front," aiming to build public opinion against these actions, protect federalism and the republic, and establish a common stance on constitutional amendments.
The leaders have emphasized that this front will not be short-lived like previous ones but will instead be a long-term initiative. The front includes JSP Nepal, the Nagarik Unmukti Party (NUP), the Loktantrik Samajbadi Party (LSP), the Terai-Madhes Loktantrik Party, the Rastriya Mukti Party, the Janata Pratisheel Party, and the Janmat Party.
After the government removed Kulman Ghising, the Managing Director of Nepal Electricity Authority, a group launched a movement demanding his reinstatement. The government claims it removed him for not cooperating. When Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli responded to a parliamentary question about his removal, a group continued to exploit the Ghising issue to fuel the protest.
The Ghising case has now reached the Supreme Court. Rabi Lamichhane, the chairman of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) facing charges of cooperative fraud, has been arrested and detained under the order of the high court's Butwal bench. To secure his release, RSP joined the protests.
Public dissatisfaction with the political parties has risen as they failed to deliver good governance while in power. Instead of focusing on fulfilling the people's aspirations, the government became increasingly embroiled in protests. Now, the Nepali Congress-UML coalition government, struggling with constitutional amendments and growing public disillusionment, faces the heat of these protests.
