Sharp reactions continue to pour in from various political parties and leaders against the mayhem created by the pro-Hindu and pro-royalist forces in parts of the Capital on Friday. The violent incident in Tinkune, Kathmandu led to the deaths of two people, scores of injuries and even arson and looting.

People have launched a hashtag campaign on social media platforms like X and Facebook to hold ex-king Gyanendra Shah responsible for Friday’s violence. Some have demanded that he be brought into legal ambit.

The government is also preparing to call an all-party meeting in order to discuss the latest activities of the pro-royalist forces and to chart out a future strategy.

So far, as many as 130 people have been arrested and police are screening those involved in the attack and vandalism so that proper action can be taken against them.

The Capital witnessed violent protests organised by pro-monarchy groups, demanding the restoration of the monarchy and the reestablishment of Nepal as a Hindu state. These protests were led by Nawaraj Subedi, a senior pro-royalist leader; Durga Prasai, a medical business operator; and senior leaders of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party.

The incident left two people dead, including a journalist, and caused extensive damage to property, raising questions about the causes of the chaos and the authorities’ inability to take timely preventive measures.

The pro-republic forces have condemned the terror spread on Friday and demanded stern action, as well as setting up a high-level committee or commission to inquire into the incident.

The Nepali Congress, the largest party in the House of Representatives, stated that former king Gyanendra Shah should be held responsible for Friday’s incident. A meeting of the party’s office bearers on Saturday came to that conclusion.

“Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak briefed us on what happened on Friday,” said Prakash Sharan Mahat, the Congress spokesperson. “We have concluded that several targeted attacks launched against media houses, and public and private properties were intended to create anarchy.”

“Some are trying to set up a tyrannical political system. There were targeted attacks in which two people were killed. We hold the ex-king responsible for the way the rally was organised and the targeted attacks.”

The CPN (Maoist Centre) is more aggressive than other political parties in demanding action against former king Shah.

“We should not spare him,” said Maoist Centre chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Saturday. “He [Gyanendra Shah] no longer has the privilege of freedom. Nepali people are not ready to accord this,” he said at a meeting of the Socialist Front, a four-party coalition.

After the fall of monarchy in 2008, the former king has been living at Nirmal Niwas as well as the Nagarjun Palace in Kathmandu that he owns. He also regularly visits religious sites in Nepal and India while being socially and religiously engaged.

“Former king Gyanendra is behind all the activities of pro-monarchy and pro-Hindu campaigners around the country,” Dahal said.

The fourth largest party in Parliament, the Rastriya Swatantra Party, also demanded an inquiry to uncover the truth behind Friday’s turn of events.

The Rastriya Prajatantra Party, which is also at the forefront of the pro-monarchy and pro-Hindu state protests, also demanded a probe to ascertain what happened on Friday. The party also demanded the release of its two leaders—senior vice president Rabindra Mishra and General Secretary Dhawal Sumsher Rana—within 24 hours. Otherwise, the party would take to the streets.

The decision was made during a meeting of the party’s work execution committee on Saturday.

The RPP has also decided to give continuity to its protests. The government should take responsibility for what happened on Friday, party chair Rajendra Lingden said.

Several RPP leaders who spoke at Saturday's meeting expressed their sympathy for Rana and Mishra and said the party should demand their release as “they are innocent and are not involved in any kind of violence”. The party also demanded that the two people killed on Friday be declared martyrs.

Sabin Maharjan of Kirtipur and video journalist Suresh Rajak were killed in separate incidents.

Lingden also dared the government to arrest the former king.

“We challenge the government to arrest the former king,” he told reporters after the party meeting. “We are very clear that we should not drag the king into controversy. We will show our strength if the government dares to arrest him.”

The Maoist Centre has alleged that ex-king Gyanendra orchestrated the Tinkune incident.

Maoist spokesperson Agni Prasad Sapkota said in a statement that the demonstration by his followers on Friday culminated in a trail of destruction as plotted by Gyanendra Shah.

“We strongly demand the government hold the planners and organisers of the protests accountable… and there should be a serious investigation to bring the culprits to book. The government should also work to maintain the rule of law,” the statement said.

CPN-UML General Secretary Shankar Pokhrel said that while protests organised by the Socialist Front on the same day were disciplined, peaceful and message-oriented, the royalist protests were violent, chaotic and vindictive.

Terming the royalist protests as a failed movement, Pokhrel wrote on Facebook: “Those who say they offer an alternative to the current system should be able to appeal to the people… but the royalists have completely failed in this.”

According to him, the violence on Friday offered a glimpse into the tyranny and oppression that may be expected under monarchy, especially for the new generation that did not live under active monarchy.

Pokhrel has called for appropriate compensation for the citizens who have suffered from vandalism, arson and looting. He wrote, “Immediate action should be taken against those involved in incidents of terrorising people and those who instigated them.”