Nepal’s Monarchy Revival Movement Gains Momentum Amid Political Discontent

By IndraStra Global News Team

Cover Image Attribute: Former King Gyanendra Shah of Nepal waves upon his arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Sunday, March 9, 2025. / Source: Niranjan Shrestha/AP

On March 9, 2025, the streets of Kathmandu reverberated with chants of “Come back king, save the country!” and “Long live our beloved king!” as an estimated 10,000 supporters gathered outside Tribhuvan International Airport to welcome Nepal’s former monarch, Gyanendra Shah. Returning from a tour of western Nepal aboard a Simrik Air helicopter, the 77-year-old ex-king was greeted by a sea of royalists waving national flags and holding placards demanding the restoration of the monarchy and the re-establishment of Nepal as a Hindu state. This dramatic scene, nearly 17 years after the abolition of Nepal’s 239-year-old Hindu monarchy in 2008, underscores a growing wave of discontent with the country’s republican system and a surprising resurgence of pro-monarchy sentiment.

A History of Tumultuous Transition

Nepal’s monarchy, deeply intertwined with the nation’s Hindu identity, came to an abrupt end following a decade-long civil war that claimed over 16,000 lives. In 2001, a horrific palace massacre saw Crown Prince Dipendra kill King Birendra and much of the royal family before turning the gun on himself. Gyanendra, Birendra’s brother, ascended the throne amid national trauma. His reign, however, was marked by controversy. In 2005, he seized absolute power, dissolving parliament and imprisoning political leaders and journalists in a bid to suppress Maoist rebels. This authoritarian move backfired, sparking massive street protests in 2006 that forced him to relinquish control. Two years later, on May 28, 2008, Nepal’s parliament abolished the monarchy, transforming the Himalayan nation into a secular federal democratic republic. Gyanendra vacated the Narayanhiti Palace, now a museum, and retreated to private life.

For a time, the republic seemed to herald a new era of stability and progress. Yet, the past 17 years have been anything but stable. Nepal has cycled through 13 governments since 2008, none completing a full term, a testament to the fractious nature of its multiparty democracy. Corruption scandals, economic stagnation, and a lack of basic services like education and healthcare have fueled public frustration, setting the stage for the monarchy’s unexpected comeback.

The Rally That Shook Kathmandu

Sunday’s rally was not an isolated event but the culmination of months of growing pro-monarchy agitation. Organized largely by the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), a Hindu nationalist outfit and the fifth-largest party in Nepal’s House of Representatives, the demonstration saw supporters block the airport’s main entrance, forcing passengers to walk to and from terminals. Riot police were deployed in the hundreds, but the protest remained peaceful as Gyanendra was escorted to his private residence, Nirmal Niwas, on the city’s outskirts. Slogans like “Vacate the royal palace for the king” and “Abolish the federal republican system” echoed through the crowd, reflecting a yearning for a return to the past.

The RPP, founded in the 1990s by royalist allies and reformed in 2022 by former Deputy Prime Minister Kamal Thapa, has been the driving force behind this movement. Party leaders, including Chairman Rajendra Lingden and Rabindra Mishra, argue that the monarchy transcends electoral politics and should be reinstated as a constitutional figurehead to unify the nation. “Nepal’s Third People’s Movement to restore the monarchy, Hindu state, and scrap federalism has begun,” tweeted Shyamal Krishna Shrestha, an RPP member, capturing the fervor of the moment. Some royalists even claimed that up to 400,000 people attended, though independent estimates peg the number closer to 10,000.

Why Now?

The resurgence of monarchist sentiment is rooted in widespread disillusionment with Nepal’s republican experiment. “Prices are high, people are jobless, and there is a lack of education and healthcare,” Rajindra Kunwar, a 43-year-old teacher and protester, told AFP. “The law applies to the public… but not politicians. That’s why we need the king.” Since 2008, the country’s political instability has been stark: 13 governments in 17 years, each plagued by infighting and allegations of corruption. The economy, heavily reliant on remittances and tourism, has struggled to recover from the 2015 earthquake and the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving many Nepalis feeling abandoned by their leaders.

For some, the monarchy represents a symbol of stability and national pride, tied to Nepal’s historical identity as the world’s last Hindu kingdom. “I was in the protests that took away the monarchy hoping it would help the country, but I was mistaken,” said Shrestha, the RPP member, reflecting a sentiment shared by thousands. The call to reinstate Hinduism as the state religion further amplifies this nostalgia, with 82% of Nepal’s population identifying as Hindu.

Adding an international dimension, posters of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, a vocal supporter of Nepal’s monarchy and Hindu identity, appeared at the rally. Adityanath’s ties to the Goraksh Peeth, a spiritual institution revered by Nepal’s former royal family, have long linked him to the monarchist cause. In 2015, he addressed a pro-monarchy rally in Kathmandu, advocating for Nepal’s return to Hindu nation status. While some Nepali royalists distanced themselves from foreign influence—“We are not so weak as needing to use a foreigner’s photo,” said former minister Dipak Gyawali—the posters underscored the movement’s broader ideological currents.

A Divisive Debate

Despite the fervor, the prospect of restoring the monarchy remains divisive and uncertain. Political analyst Lok Raj Baral told AFP that he sees “no possibility” of its return, arguing that the institution was historically “a source of instability.” Critics point to Gyanendra’s authoritarian tenure as evidence that the monarchy is ill-suited to address modern challenges. An editorial in The Kathmandu Post warned against “eulogizing the monarchy,” suggesting that royalist claims of majority support are exaggerated. Nepal’s major parties, including the Nepali Congress and the ruling coalition led by Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, staunchly oppose any constitutional overhaul, which would require a two-thirds parliamentary majority—an unlikely feat given the current political landscape.

Gyanendra himself has remained silent on the calls for his return, though his February 2025 Democracy Day statement hinted at a willingness to “save the country.” This ambiguity has fueled speculation but also highlighted his limited agency in a republic that has moved on—at least institutionally.

What Lies Ahead?

The Kathmandu rally marks a pivotal moment in Nepal’s ongoing political churn, but it is unclear whether it signals a genuine shift or a fleeting outburst of frustration. The RPP and its allies have vowed to continue their campaign, with bike rallies and mass gatherings reported across the country in recent weeks. For now, the movement appears to be a symptom of deeper malaise—discontent with corrupt governance, economic hardship, and a fractured national identity—rather than a viable solution.

As Nepal contends with its future, the legacy of its monarchical past continues to cast a long shadow. While Gyanendra Shah’s return to the throne seems unlikely, the calls of “We want our king back” underscore a lingering sentiment among many Nepalis that the republic has yet to deliver on its promises.

With reporting by NDTV, The Times of India, The Indian Express, and The Kathmandu Post.

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