Posted on 03/06/2005 7:58:19 AM PST by sagar
[World News]: Kathmandu, Mar 5 : Waving portraits of King Gyanendra and chanting pro-monarchy slogans, hundreds of Buddhist monks today hit the streets of Kathmandu in support of the royal seizure of power.
Wearing long saffron robes, more than 1,200 monks marched through the streets of Kathmandu appealing for "peace and stability", a day after police arrested a dozen activists of Nepal Communist Party-UML for challenging the power grab.
"Long live the King,", "We want peace", "Our King and our country are dearer than life" read banners and placards carried by them.
Dozens of riot police escorted the demonstration, which was attended by some top members of the Royal Council, to prevent possible attacks from the anti-monarchists.
King Gyanendra sacked Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, seized power and clamped a national emergency on February 1, claiming the government had failed to check escalating Maoist violence in the country.
The government has so far arrested over 450 pro-democracy activists and put senior leaders under house arrest to prevent political agitation.
"We have nothing to do with politics, all what we want is peace and stability," said one of the participants.
Meanwhile, the Peoples' Front Nepal has in a statement asked the government to release all its leaders, including the party's vice president Lilamani Pokhrel, and demanded withdrawal of the February 1 Royal Proclamation.
It also urged all political parties and general public to take part in the movement for restoration for multi-party democracy scheduled to kick off form March 8. PTI
The King's move is highly supported by Buddhist monks of Nepal and Hindu right-wing groups of India.
A man holds a portrait of King Gyanendra at a Pro-King rally.
Young Buddhist monks hold portraits of King Gyanendra and Queen Komal while participating in a pro-monarchy peace rally in Katmandu, Nepal, Saturday, March 5, 2005. Nearly 2,000 Buddhist monks Saturday marched through Nepal's capital in support of the King, in the biggest rally since the royal leader sacked the government and took power last month. (AP Photo/Binod Joshi)
nepal historically has a long history of religious co-existence.
That is mostly true, but the founder Prithvi Narayan Shah did proclaim that Nepal as an official Hindu kingdom.
He was distrustful of Indians because it was under the established Muslim Mughal and the expanding British rule, which he saw as a Christian rule. When he conquered Kathmandu(back then Kathmandu valley was 3 kingdoms), he sent both Muslims and Christian missionaries packing to India.
Although Christian schools, such as St. Xavier's, and churches for local Christians were allowed by the King, it wasn't until the 1990 reform that mosques were allowed to be built within the valley. Today there is a large mosque. Ironically, it was almost destroyed by a mob when a dozen of Nepalese laborers were slaughtered in Iraq by the terrorists.
Raging mob destroying the Kathmandu mosque
Just curious. Who is winning right now?
Has the King crushed the Maoists yet?
Is the King leaning toward China or India, or he is still trying to get the best deal?
yeah, but compared to the treatment of Muslims and Christians in India, i think Nepal has a great record. As a former student of STXC in Kathmandu, I've heard tons of horror stories about the treatment of christians in India.
BTW sagar, nepali ho?
"BTW sagar, nepali ho?"
ho :) ke tapai nepali bolnu huncha?
i have been to nepal many before and it is one of the friendliest place you can go.people are genuinely courteous and all religions get along well.
actually christianity got its biggest boost during the period of absolute monarchy though nowadays they have generally converted back to buddhism and hinduism.in nepal the means used to bring back the christians to hindu/buddhist fold is MOCKERY.yep no violence but laughter.villagers generally are very good at this and thus after few years even the most fervent believers surrender.lol no killings like in pakistan or afghanistan.nepalis are civilised people and gentle when treated honourably.
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