Nepal’s capital shakes as pro-monarchist wave floods the streets

Kathmandu exploded into a spectacle of contrasts and confrontation on May 28 as saffron flags bearing images of Ram, Shiv, and Hanuman fluttered beside Nepal’s red-and-blue national banner, while chants for the return of the monarchy clashed with republican slogans echoing from rival stages. Over 30,000 pro-monarchist supporters flooded the capital, calling for the restoration of the Hindu monarchy, shouting, “Raja aau, desh bachau” (King, come and save the country), and demanding the reinstatement of Nepal as a Hindu Rashtra. At the heart of this dramatic outpouring was a deep public disillusionment with democratic leadership and governance. Meanwhile, not far off, the ruling Communist Party of Nepal (UML) celebrated the 18th Republic Day with a ‘Republic Mahotsav,’ reinforcing the stark ideological divide gripping the nation.

The rally, spearheaded by the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), overwhelmed central Kathmandu as protesters broke through police barricades near Ring Road and gathered in massive numbers at Ratna Park and Durbar Marg. The march coincided with Nepal’s Republic Day and the parliamentary budget session, making it a symbolic and strategic demonstration of civil disobedience. “People have realised the futility of making a democracy which is full of corrupt people who only know how to fill their pockets,” said one protester at the site, voicing the frustration that has been quietly building for years.

Authorities, bracing for unrest, deployed nearly 6,000 security personnel across the city. Though largely peaceful until the afternoon, the memory of violent clashes during a similar rally in March, which left two people dead—including a journalist—lingered heavily. That protest also led to a reduction in the security detail assigned to former King Gyanendra Shah, underscoring growing tensions between the state and royalist factions.

Former King Gyanendra’s return to Kathmandu from Pokhara on March 10 had already stoked royalist fervour. His Democracy Day address—where he criticized political leaders for breaking promises and reminded the public of his voluntary abdication—further galvanised supporters. “It was he who abdicated by returning the sovereign crown to the people,” noted observers, drawing a moral line between royal resignation and perceived democratic failure.

RPP spokesperson Mohan Shrestha announced that protests would continue, starting from multiple city points and converging at Ratna Park. “If it were a rally, we would need permission from the District Administration Office. Since we are staging a protest, we don’t need permission,” he declared defiantly during interactions with mediapersons during the protests.

Meanwhile, the UML celebrated Republic Day with speeches reaffirming commitment to the federal democratic republic. General Secretary Shankar Pokhrel, addressing the media, criticized the monarchy’s recent actions: “Although former king Gyanendra Shah accepted the historic decisions of the Constituent Assembly, his recent activities undermine the constitution and democracy.”

Ironically, many believe it was UML’s own provocation that contributed to the royalist revival. Prime Minister KP Oli’s controversial comment about “capturing” the streets of Kathmandu is widely viewed as having emboldened monarchists. Though the party later clarified Oli spoke in his capacity as party leader, not Prime Minister, the damage seemed done.

Despite the buzz, mainstream political support for the monarchy remains elusive. Political analysts estimate that monarchist sentiment in Kathmandu may now hover around 25 percent, but the major parties continue to dismiss it. Even within the royalist camp, fractures are evident. The committee to restore the monarchy, led by veteran royalist Nawa Raj Subedi, has faced criticism for Subedi’s past remarks calling Gyanendra a rent-seeker and power monger.

A large royalist rally demanding for the restoration of Nepal’s monarchy and reestablishment of the Hindu state. #Nepal#ProMonarchyProtest pic.twitter.com/l1ziuVp0Bz

— Pankaj Das (@pankajj_das) May 29, 2025

Figures like businessman Durga Prasai and RPP MP Gyanendra Shahi, however, remain staunch in their push. “Look at the state of our roads and our infrastructure—this will speak for itself,” said development worker Bikesh Shrestha. “Nothing can be taken lightly even though many have been dismissive of the monarchists,” added social worker Krishna Joshi.

The movement also appears to be looking toward the future. Many in the crowd spoke not of Gyanendra, now 80, but of his grandson Hridayendra Bir Bikram Shah—son of Paras—as a youthful and symbolic heir if the monarchy were restored. The royal family’s traditional line of succession supports such a shift.

International reactions remain cautious. India has reiterated support for Nepal’s federal democratic republic, though right-wing factions within India have expressed sympathy for the royalist cause. Former Nepali Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba confirmed that India continues to favour the republican setup. China, on the other hand, has remained strategically silent, keeping its focus on broader geopolitical interests in the region.

The monarchy’s prospects, however, remain uncertain. Gyanendra’s age, his son Paras’s controversial image, and lack of a unified pro-monarchy political platform present significant hurdles. Critics argue that reintroducing kingship could fragment political authority and create multiple power centres.

Much of the monarchist base includes former palace loyalists, ex-bureaucrats, and elites who prospered under the Shah dynasty. Yet parties like RPP and RPP-Nepal have failed to translate this support into meaningful electoral success. Their underwhelming performance at the polls suggests that, for now, reinstatement remains aspirational.

Still, the pro-monarchy narrative continues to gather steam, fuelled by growing public resentment over corruption, unemployment, and poor infrastructure. If political leaders fail to regain public trust, royalists may continue to capitalise on the anger. As one observer put it, “Street protests and foreign support for a Hindu monarch don’t mean the entire nation desires the king’s return.”

As Nepal navigates its complex political landscape, the calls for a return to monarchy highlight the ongoing debates about national identity, governance, and the role of religion in the state. The coming months will be critical in determining whether these sentiments will translate into concrete political change or remain a reflection of public discontent with the status quo.