Massive Pro-Monarchy Protest in Nepal Demands Return of the King and Hinduism as State Religion

Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets in Nepal on Thursday, advocating for the reinstatement of the abolished monarchy and the appointment of the former king as the nation’s head of state. Waving flags and chanting slogans, these demonstrators gathered in Kathmandu’s main square, calling for the return of the monarchy and the re-establishment of Hinduism as the official religion.

The pro-monarchy rally was held just a few hundred meters from supporters of Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli, who marked Nepal’s Republic Day at the exhibition grounds. Authorities carefully managed the situation by permitting the two groups to hold rallies at different times, fearing potential clashes that could escalate violence in the capital.

Nepal officially became a republic in 2008, ending centuries of monarchy and installing a president as the ceremonial head of state. However, the desire among royalists for Gyanendra Shah to reclaim the throne and restore Hinduism as the state religion has been growing steadily in recent months.

“Bring the king back to the throne and save the country. We love our king more than our lives,” chanted approximately 20,000 protesters, some beating traditional drums and playing musical instruments to express their support.

Dil Nath Giri, a supporter of the former king, declared, “We will continue our protests until the centuries-old monarchy is restored and the country is turned into a Hindu state for the benefit of Nepal.”

The royalist movement has revived after a previous protest on March 28, which turned violent. During that rally, two people, including a television cameraman, were killed when protesters attacked buildings and set fires, prompting police to fire bullets and tear gas. Several protesters remain jailed from that incident.

Despite mounting calls for Gyanendra Shah’s return, the former king has not publicly addressed the renewed movement. While support for monarchism persists among a segment of the population, the likelihood of Gyanendra reclaiming power remains slim in the near future, as political stability and governance reforms continue to dominate Nepal’s political landscape.