KATHMANDU, March 10: Kathmandu witnessed a significant demonstration of royalist support on Sunday as thousands of former King Gyanendra Shah’s followers gathered to welcome him back from Pokhara. The large-scale demonstration, which began at Tribhuvan International Airport—a highly sensitive area—and extended to Nirmal Niwas, has sparked discussions among ordinary citizens about whether the monarchy could make a comeback in the near future.
Nepal officially abolished its 240-year-old monarchy in 2008, transitioning to a federal democratic system and shifting from a long-time Hindu state to a secular one. Since then, Nepal has adopted a new constitution that introduced a three-tier government structure—federal, provincial, and local.
However, despite this political transformation, the country has witnessed at least 14 different governments since the 2006 political shift, which leaders had once hailed as the dawn of a ‘New Nepal.’ Yet, successive governments have failed to deliver tangible results, particularly in improving the lives and livelihoods of citizens, fueling widespread dissatisfaction with the current republican system and its leadership.
“The pro-monarchy rally in Kathmandu was a manifestation of this growing dissatisfaction,” said Political Analyst Prof. Krishna Pokharel. “Many among the remnants of the monarchy’s supporters, as well as those frustrated with the system, increasingly view a revival of the monarchy as a potential solution to their grievances.”
Why Are Royalists Protesting?
The pro-monarchy movement is primarily led by the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) under Rajendra Lingden’s leadership. The party had submitted a 40-point demand to then-Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on February 21, 2023, warning of mass protests if their concerns were not addressed. However, neither the Dahal-led government nor the new administration under K P Sharma Oli responded, prompting the RPP to mobilize royalists and ‘nationalist’ forces to intensify their movement.
Over the past several months, former King Gyanendra Shah has been personally involved in consolidating these forces, traveling across Nepal and visiting India, where he has reportedly met religious leaders and members of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), including Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, to garner support.
Sunday’s rally, marked by chants in favor of the former monarch, was widely seen as a demonstration of royalist strength amid increasing public frustration over political corruption and governance failures. Some groups even called for an entry into Narayanhiti Palace, the former royal residence, signaling aspirations for a potential return to monarchy.
Political analysts argue that former King Gyanendra strategically leveraged both national and international dynamics to stage this display of power. If the rally had been a spontaneous show of support, they argue, he could have taken an alternative route. By leading the motorcade through the crowd, greeting supporters and accepting garlands, he made a clear statement about his continued relevance in Nepal’s political landscape.
The protest also comes at a time when many Nepalese citizens are questioning the rationale behind the country’s rather expensive federal structure, with seven provincial governments and hundreds of local units mirroring federal governance. Some have even begun to ask, “Was it worth replacing one king with hundreds of mini-kings?”
Participants in Sunday’s rally also expressed concerns that Nepal’s existence was at risk due to current political leadership. They argued that reinstating the monarchy as a guardian institution and reverting Nepal to a Hindu kingdom, with fewer local units and no provincial governments, would be the best way to navigate the current crisis.
What Are RPP’s Key Demands?
The RPP has outlined several demands centered on governance, economic reform, corruption control, and social justice. The party advocates for the reinstatement of a constitutional monarchy in a parental role and the re-establishment of Nepal as a Vedic Sanatan Hindu state while ensuring religious freedom.
The party seeks the abolition of the provincial structure, proposing a two-tier governance system consisting of a federal government and a reduced number of local units, down from the existing 753. It also demands a directly elected executive Prime Minister and a constitutional provision limiting executive positions to two terms.
Additionally, the RPP calls for a reduction in the number of government employees and representatives and the elimination of politically influenced appointments in constitutional bodies to enhance transparency and efficiency. The party has also pushed for investigations into major corruption scandals, including those related to Ncell, Lalita Niwas, and the fake Bhutanese refugee case, urging legal action against top bureaucrats and politicians implicated in illegal property acquisitions.
In economic reforms, the RPP’s 40-point demand includes financial relief for small borrowers, stricter regulations on cooperatives to protect depositors, and banking reforms such as capping interest rates and preventing arbitrary loan auctions. The party also advocates for policies supporting entrepreneurship, industry, and agriculture through subsidies, concessional loans, and tax benefits.
The party emphasizes the need for free and quality public education and healthcare, including health insurance coverage for all citizens. It also prioritizes an energy export policy aligned with Nepal’s long-term economic interests and infrastructural development with a century-long vision.
On foreign policy, the RPP insists on a non-aligned approach, respecting the sensitivities of neighboring countries, and reviving Nepal’s status as a zone of peace. The party calls for merit-based diplomatic appointments, voting rights for Nepali citizens living abroad, and stronger land reforms to protect public land and Nepal’s cultural heritage. Through these demands, the RPP envisions a governance model that blends traditional values with modern reforms to ensure stability, transparency, and national prosperity.
What’s Next for the RPP?
Buoyed by Sunday’s large turnout, the RPP has announced plans to intensify its protests to push for the monarchy’s reinstatement. RPP Chairman Rajendra Lingden, in a media interview, challenged mainstream political parties to mobilize a similar number of supporters.
During an office bearers’ meeting on Monday, the party concluded that Sunday’s rally was a resounding success and decided to unveil a fresh round of protest activities. RPP Spokesperson Mohan Shrestha confirmed that the party would escalate its demonstrations, as the government had ignored their demands. “We had submitted the 40-point demands on February 21, 2023, warning that we would be forced to take to the streets if they were not addressed. Since the government has not responded, we have begun mass protests,” he stated.
Spokesperson Shrestha added that the party’s Work Performance Committee meeting on March 17 would finalize plans for new protest activities aimed at reinstating Nepal as a Hindu kingdom.
Political observers say although the number of people advocating for the reinstatement of monarchy is still relatively low, the number of those supporting the provincial structure of the government, reinstating Nepal as a Hindu state, downsizing the government and investigating all those including politicians and bureaucrats who held power positions since 1990. These demands have drawn a significant number of people to support the movement of pro-king protestors.
Role of Foreign Actors
While mainstream political leaders have downplayed the royalist movement, experts warn that growing public discontent poses a direct challenge to Nepal’s republican system in the long run. “Corruption and poor governance have fueled frustration, but that alone does not guarantee the restoration of monarchy,” argued Prof. Pokharel. “Demonstrations can be impactful, but they are unlikely to fundamentally alter Nepal’s political structure in the near term.”
However, the increasing prominence of royalist movements could indicate shifting political undercurrents. If the government fails to address economic challenges and governance failures, alternative political structures—including monarchy—may gain stronger appeal among disillusioned citizens, experts warn.
Beyond governance issues, mainstream political parties are concerned about potential Indian influence in the royalist movement. King Gyanendra’s frequent visits to India, along with statements by BJP leaders and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath advocating for Nepal’s return to a Hindu kingdom, have raised suspicions about external involvement. The presence of placards featuring Yogi’s image at Sunday’s rally has only fueled these concerns.
For now, King Gyanendra’s rally underscores the deepening dissatisfaction with Nepal’s current leadership. If these grievances remain unaddressed, they could further embolden royalist aspirations in the future.