Thousands of people gathered in Kathmandu on Sunday to welcome former King Gyanendra Shah, chanting slogans like "Come back king, save the country," "We want monarchy," and "Vacate the royal palace for the king." The show of support for the former monarch came amid a growing movement demanding the restoration of Nepal’s Hindu monarchy, which was abolished in 2008.
The enthusiasm was not limited to Gyanendra’s return. Earlier in the week, massive bike rallies with hundreds of participants were held across Nepal, demanding the reinstatement of the monarchy and the declaration of Nepal as a Hindu state. Some pro-monarchy sources claimed that nearly 400,000 people had gathered to welcome Gyanendra, though an Associated Press estimate put the number closer to 10,000.
Supporters of the former king believe that Nepal’s shift to a republic has led to political instability, economic decline, and rampant corruption. Since the abolition of the monarchy in 2008, Nepal has seen 13 different governments, with little progress in governance and economic development. Many Nepalis now feel disillusioned with the political class and believe that a return to monarchy would restore stability.
The demand for a return to the monarchy has gained traction among nationalist and Hindu groups. Shyamal Krishna Shrestha, a member of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), which advocates for a constitutional monarchy and a Hindu state, declared on X (formerly Twitter), "I can feel the winds of change. Nepal's Third People's Movement to restore the monarchy, Hindu state, and scrap federalism has begun."
Historically, Nepal was a Hindu monarchy for 240 years, with its kings seen as protectors of the faith. Before the monarchy was abolished, the king played a central role in religious traditions, such as surveying the army during Maha Shivratri and receiving blessings from the living goddess Kumari during Indra Jatra.
Gyanendra’s return to the capital followed a two-month stay in Pokhara, where he visited several holy shrines. His presence in Kathmandu has reignited calls for his reinstatement, with supporters demanding that the Narayanhiti Palace, which was turned into a museum after the monarchy’s abolition, be vacated for him.
The pro-monarchy sentiment stems from deep dissatisfaction with Nepal’s current leadership. Many Nepalis blame politicians for failing to address issues like poverty, unemployment, and corruption. Kulraj Shrestha, a 50-year-old carpenter, voiced his frustration to the Associated Press, saying, "The worst thing that is happening to the country is massive corruption, and all politicians in power are not doing anything for the country. I was in the protests that took away the monarchy, hoping it would help the country, but I was mistaken, and the nation has further plunged, so I have changed my mind."
Despite growing public support for the monarchy, Nepal’s political leaders have firmly rejected the possibility of its return. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli dismissed the idea, stating on March 7, "Some people are shouting slogans to reinstate monarchy these days, which is simply not possible." Former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal echoed this sentiment, calling the monarchy "a thing of the past."
Pushpa Kamal Dahal, also known as Prachanda, a former Maoist leader who played a key role in Nepal’s transition to a republic, warned Gyanendra against trying to reclaim the throne. "If the former king does foolish things in the name of returning monarchy, it would be costly for him," he said.
The movement for the monarchy’s revival is gaining momentum, both online and offline. The Kathmandu Post reported that increasing public participation in pro-monarchy rallies has left mainstream political parties struggling to contain the growing sentiment. The RPP has been organizing rallies and events across Nepal, pushing for a return to Hindu monarchy.
The history of Nepal’s monarchy dates back to King Prithvi Narayan Shah, who unified the region’s fragmented principalities into a single kingdom in 1768. For over two centuries, the Shah dynasty ruled Nepal, though their power was often exercised by regents or prime ministers in their name. In 1950, King Tribhuvan Shah took a more active political role, setting the stage for his successors to govern the country directly.
His son, King Mahendra Shah, not only modernized Nepal but also promoted a nationalistic vision centered around Hindu monarchy. He launched the slogan "Ek raja, ek bhesh, ek bhasa" (One king, one dress, one language), emphasizing the king’s role as a unifying national figure.
Mahendra’s son, King Birendra, later ruled Nepal as a constitutional monarch. However, his reign ended in tragedy when he and nine members of the royal family were assassinated in the infamous palace massacre of June 1, 2001. Crown Prince Dipendra, reportedly angered by his family’s opposition to his choice of bride, killed his parents and other relatives before turning the gun on himself. He was briefly declared king in a comatose state but died three days later.
Following the massacre, Gyanendra, Birendra’s brother, became king. However, his reign was short-lived. His decision to impose a state of emergency in 2005 and take direct control of the government led to massive protests, known as the People’s Movement (Jana Andolan). In 2006, under immense pressure, he reinstated the Parliament. The following year, the Constituent Assembly, dominated by former Maoist rebels, voted to abolish the monarchy, officially making Nepal a federal democratic republic on May 28, 2008. Gyanendra vacated the Narayanhiti Palace, and it was turned into a museum.
Today, many pro-monarchy supporters believe the decision to abolish the monarchy was a mistake, and they want Gyanendra to return as king. The slogan "Narayanhiti Khali gara, hamra raja aaudai chhan" (Vacate the royal palace, we are bringing our king back) has become a rallying cry for his supporters.
Whether these calls will translate into a real political shift remains uncertain. The ruling parties are determined to maintain Nepal as a secular republic, and any attempt to bring back the monarchy is likely to face strong resistance. However, the rising dissatisfaction with political corruption and instability suggests that the debate over Nepal’s monarchy is far from over.
