Former Royal Palace Area Declared Off-Limits for Protests

Amid ongoing pro-monarchy demonstrations, the District Administration Office (DAO) Kathmandu has designated the Narayanhiti Palace Museum area a no-protest zone, expanding the list of locations where public demonstrations are prohibited.

The new directive bans all forms of protests—including sit-ins, rallies, encirclements and demonstrations with the gatherings of more than five people—in the designated area from Saturday, May 31, through July 8.

According to the order, the restricted zone extends from Keshar Mahal Chowk to the Jay Nepal turn via the South Gate of the Narayanhiti Palace Museum, as well as from the Mahendra Statue to the museum’s South Gate.

The decision comes as royalist groups and pro-monarchist parties intensify their campaign demanding the reinstatement of Nepal as a Hindu Kingdom. The latest demonstrations began Thursday at Ratna Park and continued Friday at Bijulibazar. Royalist supporters had reportedly planned a major rally at Durbarmarg on Saturday.

Earlier this year in March, a similar order was issued, prohibiting protests in key areas of the capital, particularly around vital government institutions—executive, legislative, and judicial buildings—as well as high-security zones such as Singha Durbar and VIP residential areas.