Crack Down on Ex-King Gyanendra Amid Pro-Monarchy and Pro-Hindu Rashtra Unrest in Nepal.

Nepal Govt Revoked Former King Gyanendra’s Passport For Inciting Pro-Monarchy Protests With Hindu-Kingdom Claim. 

Many of top leaders of Friday protests are put in house arrest as reported. 

Upendra Bharti | HENB | New Delhi | March 30, 2025:: The Nepal government has  revoked the passport of former King Gyanendra Shah, amid allegations of his involvement in inciting pro-monarchy protests that turned violent in the capital city last Friday. The Protesters were also demanding the restoration of Hindu Kingdom in Nepal.

According to government officials, the move aims to prevent Shah from leaving the country while an investigation into the protests is underway. The former monarch has been accused of fueling the unrest, which resulted in the deaths of at least two people and injured over 112 others.

Shah has also been slapped with a fine by the Kathmandu Metropolitan City authorities, who have demanded that he pay NPR 7,93,000 (approximately USD 6,500) as compensation for damages caused to public property during the protests.

The pro-monarchy demonstrations, which were organized in response to Shah’s call, saw thousands of protesters gather in the city, chanting slogans and demanding the reinstatement of the 240-year-old monarchy that was abolished in 2008.

The government has vowed to take legal action against those involved in the unrest, with over 100 protesters, including some pro-monarchy leaders, taken into custody.

The developments have sparked concerns about the stability of Nepal’s fragile democracy, which has been grappling with challenges from various quarters, including the pro-monarchy groups and the Maoist former rebels. Many of top leaders of Friday protests are put in house arrest as reported.  Nepal’s 240-year-old monarchy was abolished in 2008 by a specially elected assembly as part of a deal with Maoist former rebels, ending an insurgency that killed 17,000 people between 1996 and 2006.

Nepal’s transition to a Secular Democratic Republic in 2008 was expected to usher in a new era of stability and prosperity. However, the last 17 years have been marked by frequent government changes, corruption, and unfulfilled public demands, leading to widespread discontent and loss of faith in the major political parties.

The current situation is complex, with various factors contributing to the unrest. Key Issues:

– Corruption and Mismanagement: Successive governments have been accused of corruption, mismanaging public funds, and failing to deliver basic services to citizens.
– Rise of Anti-Hindu Sentiment: Some groups have expressed concerns about the growing influence of anti-Hindu elements, which they believe are eroding Nepal’s cultural heritage.
– Foreign Interference: Allegations of interference from Chinese and European Union counterparts have added to the sense of unease, with some Nepalis feeling that external forces are manipulating the country’s politics and cultural identity.

The pro-monarchy protests, which began in November 2023, are a manifestation of these underlying tensions. Protesters are demanding the restoration of the monarchy and Nepal’s status as a Hindu state. While the government has responded with force, the movement has gained significant traction, with many Nepalis expressing support for the protesters’ demands.

As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the government will address the underlying issues driving the protests. One thing is clear, however: the Nepali people are demanding change, and their voices will not be silenced. Nepal’s shift towards a Hindu Kingdom, or Hindu Rashtra, is gaining momentum, driven by pro-monarchist groups demanding the reinstatement of the monarchy.
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__Inputs from Online Khabar, India Today, WION and Agencies.