KATHMANDU, Nepal, June 16 (UPI) -- Nepalese students have launched a protest against Premier Girija Prasad Koirala's remarks favoring the retention of King Gynanendra as a ceremonial monarch.
A large number of students stormed two campuses in Kathmandu, holding banners denouncing the monarchy and burning effigies, to protest Koirala's desire to keep a ceremonial monarchy less than two months after a nationwide agitation against King Gyanendra's direct rule forced the monarch to relinquish power, The Times of India newspaper reported Friday.
The protesters were waving banners calling for an end to the monarchy. Traffic around the campuses was disrupted.
The protests began after Koirala told members of the Nepali Congress Party in Viratnagar that Nepal is passing through a critical transition period and the retention of a ceremonial monarchy was essential to averting a potential crisis.
"If the king is not given breathing space, it might create a grave situation," Koirala said. "Let's not have another war because someone has been looked over."
According to Nepalese media reports, Koirala's comments caused an instant uproar in southeastern Nepal, where the Maoists held a rally denouncing him. The reports said the Maoist-backed United Front also held street meetings and gave speeches saying Koirala has gone against the will of the people and was conspiring with the king to keep the monarchy alive through parliament.
"Koirala's comments would affect the peace talks," the Maoists' peace talks secretariat said in a statement. "It was an irresponsible statement, since he is not just the leader of the Nepali Congress, but also the (Seven-Party Alliance) and the Nepali people. The people have made it clear that they don't want a king, they want a republic."
Mass protests in Kathmandu forced King Gyanendra to restore democratic rule last month after seizing absolute power a year ago.
