- Over 10,000 protesters demand monarchy restoration and Hindu state status
- Nepal has cycled through 13 governments since abolishing the monarchy in 2008
- Former King Gyanendra's controversial reign and current silence on demands
- Citizen testimonies reveal shifting public opinion amid corruption and instability
Thousands of demonstrators, estimated to exceed 10,000, flooded Kathmandu's streets, blocking Tribhuvan International Airport to demand the return of Nepal's monarchy. This surge in royalist sentiment highlights deepening frustration with the federal democratic republic established in 2008, which has failed to deliver political stability or economic progress.
Since transitioning to a republic, Nepal has witnessed 13 different governments, creating chronic governance paralysis. Economic growth stagnates at 4.3% annually—below regional averages—while Transparency International ranks Nepal 110th in corruption perception globally. These systemic failures have led many to reconsider the monarchy-era stability, despite its autocratic history.
The protest featured striking ideological reversals. Kulraj Shrestha, a carpenter who joined anti-monarchy protests in 2006, now advocates for royal restoration. "Politicians have plundered Nepal's future," he stated, reflecting widespread disillusionment. Similar sentiments echo across South Asia; in Bhutan, public satisfaction with their constitutional monarchy remains high (74% approval according to 2022 surveys), suggesting nostalgia for symbolic leadership during democratic transitions.
Constitutional experts emphasize legal barriers to reinstating the monarchy. Nepal' 2015 constitution enshrines federal democratic republic principles, requiring a two-thirds parliamentary majority and referendum to amend—a unlikely scenario given current party divisions. Meanwhile, demands to reestablish Hinduism as the state religion (replaced by secularism in 2015) complicate debates, risking marginalization of Nepal's 14% religious minorities.
Analysts identify three critical factors driving royalist revival: vacuum of legitimate leadership, unchecked corruption, and romanticized memories of pre-2006 stability. Youth unemployment exceeding 19% fuels anger toward elected officials. However, former King Gyanendra remains politically isolated, offering no formal response to supporters. His 2005 power grab—dissolving Parliament and imposing emergency rule—leaves many cautious about restoring executive monarchy.
