Why thousands in Nepal want Monarchy and Hindu State back?

Thousands in Nepal want monarchy back including Hinduism as state religion as public frustration with politics grows.

Smita Srestha Pathak | HENB | Kathmandu | March 9, 2025:: Thousands of supporters of Nepal’s former king, Gyanendra Shah, gathered in Kathmandu on Sunday, calling for the reinstatement of the monarchy and Hinduism as the state religion. The crowd, estimated to be around 10,000 strong, blocked the main entrance to Tribhuvan International Airport as the former king arrived from a tour of western Nepal. Chants of “Vacate the royal palace for the king. Come back king, save the country. Long live our beloved king. We want monarchy” filled the air, as passengers were forced to walk to and from the airport due to the blockade.

This isn’t the first time there have been protests demanding the restoration of the monarchy. In November 2023, tens of thousands of protesters clashed with police in Kathmandu, calling for the monarchy to be reinstated and Nepal to be declared a Hindu state again. The protests were organized by the Campaign to Protect Nation, Nationalism, Religion, Culture, and Citizens, and were met with a heavy police presence. Several protesters were injured, and over 210 were arrested.

The monarchy was abolished in Nepal in 2008, after a pro-democracy movement led to the overthrow of King Gyanendra. Since then, there have been sporadic protests calling for the restoration of the monarchy, but Sunday’s gathering was one of the largest in recent years.

Hundreds of riot police blocked the protesters from entering the airport and there was no violence.

Massive street protests in 2006 forced Gyanendra to give up his authoritarian rule, and two years later the parliament voted to abolish the monarchy as Gyanendra left the Royal Palace to live the life of a commoner.

But many Nepalis have grown frustrated with the republic, saying it has failed to bring about political stability and blaming it for a struggling economy and widespread corruption. Nepal has had 13 governments since the monarchy was abolished in 2008.

Rally participants said they were hoping for a change in the political system to stop the country from further deteriorating.

“We are here to give the king our full support and to rally behind him all the way to reinstating him in the royal throne,” said Thir Bahadur Bhandari, 72.

Among the thousands was 50-year-old carpenter Kulraj Shrestha, who had taken part in the 2006 protests against the king but has changed his mind and now supports the monarchy.

“The worst thing that is happening to the country is massive corruption and all politicians in power are not doing anything for the country,” Shrestha said. “I was in the protests that took away monarchy hoping it would help the country, but I was mistaken and the nation has further plunged so I have changed my mind.”

Gyanendra has not commented on the calls for the return of monarchy. Despite growing support for the former king, Gyanendra has slim chances of immediately returning to power.

He became the king in 2002, after his brother and family were massacred in the palace. He ruled as the constitutional head of state without executive or political powers until 2005, when he seized absolute power. He disbanded the government and parliament, jailed politicians and journalists and cut off communications, declaring a state of emergency and using the army to rule the country.

Nepal abolished its 239-year-old monarchy in 2008, two years after massive street protests forced Gyanendra to step down from absolute rule. The country became a federal democratic republic, but since then, many Nepalis have grown frustrated with political instability and economic struggles.

Since the abolition of the monarchy, Nepal has seen 13 different governments, leading many to believe the current system has failed. Corruption, economic hardship, and lack of political stability have left some citizens reconsidering their stance on monarchy and Hindu Rashtra (adhirajya) both.

…
__Inputs from : Associated Press and TOI.