Thousands of supporters of Nepal’s former king gathered outside Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport on Friday, demanding the restoration of the monarchy that was abolished nearly two decades ago.
Gyanendra Shah waved to cheering crowds from the sunroof of his car as hundreds of police officers in riot gear tried to manage supporters at the airport’s main entrance. The former king was returning from a trip to eastern Nepal.
“Bring back the king. We love our king more than our own selves. Restore constitutional monarchy,” the crowd chanted.
More supporters lined the route from the airport to his private residence. The gatherings remained peaceful and no arrests were reported.
Pro-monarchy demonstrators shouting “King, come and save the country" offered bouquets of flowers and waved the national flag as Gyanendra arrived at his home after a three-month holiday in Nepal’s east.
“We must restore the monarchy because the king can be a caring guardian of all Nepali people, something many corrupt political leaders have failed to do,” said Sanatan Prasad Regmi, 55, a Gyanendra supporter. “We have no use for a republic.”
Protests despite restrictions
The rally took place despite prohibitory orders issued by the Kathmandu District Administration Office, which had banned gatherings of more than five people in and around the airport area.
Security presence was heavy across the airport perimeter to prevent any escalation.
Cadres of the pro-monarchist Rastriya Prajatantra Party, led by senior leader Kamal Thapa, were present at the site. They were joined by loyalist groups led by Navaraj Subedi and medical professional Durga Prasai, who had gathered in the airport area since Friday morning.
Why the monarchy issue has resurfaced
Nepal abolished the monarchy in 2008 after massive street protests in 2006 forced Gyanendra to give up his authoritarian rule. Parliament later voted to formally end the monarchy, and he left the Royal Palace to live as a commoner in Kathmandu.
However, pro-monarchy demonstrations resurfaced last year amid economic distress and continuing political instability. Nepal has seen 14 changes of government in the past 18 years, a pattern that has unsettled investors and slowed economic growth.
Many Nepalis have expressed frustration with the republican system, accusing it of failing to deliver on promises of development and job creation.
Political backdrop and upcoming elections
The renewed demonstrations come months after the September 8 protests led by Gen Z youth activists, which were sparked by growing frustration over corruption, lack of accountability and the perceived failure of political elites, following the Nepalese government’s ban on social media.
The unrest led to the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. Sushila Karki, Nepal’s first woman Chief Justice, was sworn in as interim Prime Minister.
Karki, 73, will hold the position until the first week of March, when elections are scheduled to choose a new executive head.
The movement, referred to as the Gen Z revolution, resulted in 74 deaths when police used lethal force to suppress protests against the government of K.P. Sharma Oli, who is currently in hiding.
The show of royalist support also comes ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for March 5.
A total of 65 parties are contesting 275 seats in the assembly. Nearly 19 million of Nepal’s 30 million people are eligible to vote, including nearly one million new voters, mostly youths, added after recent protests.
Pro-Gyanendra groups, which secured about 5% of seats in the last election, are hoping to increase their representation.
During a press meet in Kathmandu on Thursday, Durga Prasai said they want to restore the institution of monarchy before the March 5 general election. He claimed that the election cannot be held without addressing their agenda of reinstalling a Hindu monarch in the country.
Despite visible support from royalist groups, Gyanendra’s chances of an immediate return to power remain limited, as broader political backing remains with parties opposed to restoring the monarchy.