KATHMANDU, March 28: Pro-monarchy forces have been staging small-scale protests across the country for the past few months, with a particular focus on Kathmandu. On Friday, the group organized a rally in the capital as a display of their strength.
This marks the second-largest protest by pro-monarchy forces following a large-scale rally on March 9, which started from the highly sensitive Tribhuvan International Airport and extended to Nirmal Niwas, the private residence of former King Gyanendra Shah. The rally was organized to welcome former King Gyanendra upon his return from Pokhara to Kathmandu.
As the pro-monarchy forces in the country have announced plans to organize a series of protests in the days ahead to reinstate the monarchy, here is what you need to know about their protest.
Who Is Leading the Pro-Monarchy Protest?
Nepal officially abolished its 240-year-old monarchy in 2008 and adopted a federal democratic republic system through the promulgation of a new constitution. The key demands of pro-monarchy forces are the reinstatement of the monarchy and the reversion of Nepal to a Hindu state, altering its secular status.
The pro-monarchy movement is primarily spearheaded by the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) under Rajendra Lingden's leadership. Former King Gyanendra Shah is also personally involved in the campaign to restore the monarchy.
In recent months, the former king has actively consolidated these forces, traveling across Nepal and visiting India, where he reportedly met religious leaders and members of India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), including Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, to garner support.
The pro-monarchy rally, marked by chants in favor of the former king, is widely perceived as a display of royalist strength amid growing public dissatisfaction over political corruption and governance failures. Some groups even called for entry into Narayanhiti Palace, the former royal residence, signaling aspirations for a potential return to the monarchy.
Political analysts hold that the pro-monarchy forces are strategically capitalizing on both national and international dynamics to stage this demonstration of power. These protests come at a time when many Nepalis are questioning the viability of the country's expensive federal structure, which includes 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?"
Those supporting the pro-monarchy movement express concerns that Nepal's sovereignty is at risk under the current political leadership. They also argue that reinstating the monarchy as a guardian institution and reverting Nepal to a Hindu kingdom, with a more streamlined governance structure, would be the best course of action.
What Are the Key Demands of Pro-Monarchy Protesters?
The RPP, which is leading the pro-monarchy protests, 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 subsequent administration under K P Sharma Oli responded, prompting the RPP to mobilize royalist and nationalist forces to escalate their movement.
The RPP's demands center 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.