Kathmandu witnessed a significant surge in pro-monarchy demonstrations as thousands gathered to welcome former king Gyanendra Shah upon his return to the capital on Sunday. Chanting slogans such as “Come back king, save the country”, “We want monarchy”, and “Vacate the royal palace for the king”, supporters lined the streets in a strong display of their growing demand for the reinstatement of the Hindu monarchy.
The 76-year-old former king had been away for two months, visiting Pokhara and several religious sites. His arrival was met with fervent enthusiasm, with pro-monarchy groups claiming that nearly 400,000 people took part in the demonstration. However, an Associated Press report estimated the crowd at around 10,000.
“We are here to give the king our full support and rally behind him all the way to reinstating him on the throne,” said 72-year-old Thir Bahadur Bhandari, a long-time monarchy supporter.
Resurgence of the Monarchy Movement
In recent weeks, Kathmandu has witnessed an increasing number of pro-monarchy demonstrations, including large-scale bike rallies. Social media has also been abuzz with growing support for Gyanendra Shah, particularly among those disillusioned with Nepal’s political instability.
Shyamal Krishna Shrestha, a member of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), which advocates for a Hindu monarchy, claimed that the movement for reinstating the monarchy and scrapping federalism had gained momentum. “I can feel the winds of change. Nepal’s Third People’s Movement to restore the monarchy and Hindu state has begun,” he posted on social media platform X.
Nepal had been a Hindu monarchy for 240 years before it transitioned into a secular republic in 2008. The growing dissatisfaction with corruption and economic challenges under the current system has led to nostalgia for the stability once associated with the monarchy.
Since becoming a republic, Nepal has seen 13 different governments in just 16 years, contributing to widespread frustration among citizens.
Political Opposition to Monarchy’s Return
Despite the increasing public support for monarchy, Nepal’s political leaders have firmly ruled out any possibility of a return to the old system. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli dismissed the demands, stating on March 7 that reinstating the monarchy was “simply not possible.”
Similarly, former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal echoed this sentiment, saying that monarchy was now a thing of the past. Maoist leader and current Prime Minister Pushpakamal Dahal “Prachanda” warned that any move by Gyanendra Shah to return to power would “prove costly for him.”
Historical Context: From Monarchy to Republic
The Shah dynasty ruled Nepal for over two centuries, with King Prithvi Narayan Shah unifying the fragmented principalities into a single kingdom in 1768. While the monarchy remained dominant, it transitioned into a constitutional monarchy in 1990 after mass protests forced King Birendra to share power with an elected Parliament.
However, political turmoil escalated in 2001 when King Birendra, Queen Aishwarya, and other royal family members were killed in the infamous palace massacre. Crown Prince Dipendra, reportedly enraged by his family’s opposition to his choice of bride, allegedly carried out the killings before turning the gun on himself.
Following Dipendra’s brief reign in a comatose state, Gyanendra Shah ascended to the throne. However, his rule faced mass protests, culminating in the 2006 Jana Andolan (People’s Movement), which forced him to reinstate Parliament. In 2008, Nepal’s newly elected Constituent Assembly, led by former Maoist rebels, voted to abolish the monarchy, officially making Nepal a federal democratic republic.
The former royal residence, Narayanhiti Palace, was converted into a museum. However, recent chants of “Narayanhiti Khali gara, hamra raja aaudai chhan” (Vacate the royal palace, we are bringing our king back) reflect a renewed desire among many to see the palace restored as the royal seat of power.
Public Frustration and Growing Support for Monarchy
Many Nepalis who had initially supported the abolition of monarchy are now rethinking their stance due to corruption and economic instability.
“The worst thing that is happening to the country is massive corruption, and all politicians in power are not doing anything for the country,” said 50-year-old carpenter Kulraj Shrestha to the Associated Press.
Shrestha, who had actively participated in the 2006 movement against the monarchy, admitted that he had changed his mind. “I was in the protests that took away the monarchy hoping it would help the country, but I was mistaken. The nation has further plunged, so I have changed my mind.”
With public dissatisfaction growing and political parties failing to address Nepal’s economic and governance issues, the calls for the return of the monarchy are becoming increasingly vocal. Whether these demands will translate into a larger political movement or remain symbolic protests remains to be seen. However, the resurgence of pro-monarchy sentiments signals a deepening crisis in Nepal’s political landscape.
