The 2025 Nepalese pro-monarchy protests are an ongoing protest movement advocating for the restoration of the Hindu monarchy in Nepal. On 9 March 2025, thousands demonstrated in the capital city, Kathmandu, in favor of restoring the monarchy with the former King Gyanendra Shah as its head.[1][2][3][4]
| 2025 Nepalese pro-monarchy movement | |
|---|---|
| Pro-monarchy movement in Nepal (2025) Part of Nepalese pro-monarchy movement | |
| Date | 9 March 2025 |
| Location | |
| Caused by | Wanted Return of the former King Gyanendra Shah |
| Goals | Restoration of Hindu monarchy - Kingdom of Nepal |
| Methods | Large public demonstrations |
| Status | Ongoing |
Background
editOn February 19, 2025, a public holiday commemorating the 1951 Revolution, former King Gyanendra Shah delivered a video speech urging citizens to support the revival of the monarchy.[5][6] Following this speech, there has been an uptick in pro-monarchy protests and activism.
Some in Nepal have been frustrated with the current federal republic government. In the past 17 years from the abolition of the monarchy, there have been 13 government formations. The country continues to face challenges of governmental instability, corruption and struggling economy.[1]
In the recent years, the popularity of the pro monarchy sentiments has been increased gradually. According to a nationwide survey conducted by Himalmedia in 2024, suggests that nearly half of the people favour "the reversal of the country’s secular status and reinstatement of the Hindu state".[7][8]
Description
editOn March 9, 2025, thousands of supporters welcomed former King Gyanendra Shah as he arrived at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu.[4] A spokesperson for the pro-monarchy Rastriya Prajatantra Party stated the turnout "shows how frustrated the people are with the present government, and they are in search of an alternative to the present system."[9][10] The arrival of the former King in the city took place amidst of tight security.[11]
After the arrival of the former King Gyanendra Shah at the airport, thousands of supporters descended on the road of the capital city Kathmandu to escort him to his residence. Some estimates range from thousands to over ten thousand demonstrators present, monarchy supporters claimed that their number was around four lakhs (400,000).[12] In the rally at least 1,000 police personnel and 400 traffic police were deployed to maintain law and order.[9] There no violence was reported in the rally.[13]
During the rally demonstrators were seen carrying Nepalese flags, and some were seen carrying posters of the chief minister Yogi Adityanath of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The display of the poster of Yogi Adityanath in the rally sparked controversy.[14]
Impact
editThe CPN (Maoist Centre) suspended its month-long campaign in the Teria-Madhesh region in response to the intensified activities of the pro-monarchy protestors in the capital.[15] The current prime minister K P Sharma Oli as well as other top political leaders like Sher Bahadur Deuba have condemned and criticized the pro-monarchy movement. They have also challenged the former king Gyanendra Shah to take part in election and prove his popularity in the established democratic system of the nation.[16]
After the pro-monarchy demonstrations in the capital, the Kathmandu district administration office enforced a two-month prohibitory order in the key areas of the government. According to the order, public gatherings of more than five persons has been banned including hunger strikes, demonstrations, protests and rallies.[16]
On March 11, 2025, the topic of the pro-monarchy movement in the capital was discussed at the House of Representatives. The main opposition leader of CPN (Maoist Centre) party chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal advised and warned "the pro-monarchy forces to seek their space within the democratic set-up otherwise a harsh revolution will be a response to them".[17]
Formation of Joint People's Movement Committee
editThe monarchists formed an organization on March 27, 2025 called the Joint People’s Movement Committee to consolidate the movement for the restoration of the Hindu monarchy. Nabaraj Subedi has been made the leader of the committee. The prime demand of the organization is the acceptance of the 1991 constitution by the government or amendments in the current constitution to feature a constitutional monarchy with a multi-party system of parliamentary democracy and recognition of Nepal as a unitary Hindu nation.[18][19][20] The committee told the government they had one week to meet their demands.[18]
 Royalist leaders declaring for pro-monarchy movement in a press meet in Kathmandu | |
| Formation | March 27, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Nabaraj Subedi |
| Founded at | Kathmandu |
| Purpose | Restoration of the constitutional Hindu monarchy in Nepal |
| Headquarters | Kathmandu |
Convener | Nabaraj Subedi |
Secretary | Rabindra Mishra |
Protests on 28 March 2025 in Kathmandu
editOn 28 March 2025, the groups Joint People's Movement Committee and Socialist Forum separately organized public demonstrations to counter each other, and to demonstrate in the favor of restoration of the constitutional Hindu monarchy and to maintain the present federal republic system, respectively.[21][22] The protestors of the Socialist Forum gathered at Bhrikuti Mandap while of the Joint People's Movement Committee gathered at Tinkune in the Kathmandu valley.[23] Security was tightened in response to the demonstrations, over 5000 security personnel had been deployed by the government to take care of the protests.[18][23]
| 2025 Pro-monarchists protest | |
|---|---|
| Rally of pro-monarchists protest | |
 Image of pro monarchy leaders Nabaraj Subedi and Durga Prasai | |
| Date | March 28, 2025 11.25am – |
| Location | Tinkune, Baneshwar, Kathmandu |
| Goals | Restoration of the constitutional Hindu monarchy |
| Status | Violent |
| Lead figures | |
| Casualties | |
| Death(s) | 2 |
| Injuries | 110+ |
| Arrested | 110+ |
| Damage | Offices of Kantipur TV channel and Annapurna Post newspaper, office of CPN-Unified Socialist Party, 14 houses, several vehicles |
The rally of the pro-monarchists began around 1:30 AM in the area of Tinkune in the city. The crowd of the pro-monarchists tried to move towards the Parliament House where prohibitory orders were in place. Police personnel fired tear gas shells at the stage where the leader Nabaraj Subedi of the pro-monarchy movement, and other senior leaders of the pro-monarchy movement, were seated. Nabaraj Subedi was injured and his supporters rushed towards him. Following these events, clashes between the police personnel and the pro-monarchy protestors broke out.[24] The police personnel fired tear gas, blank rounds and water cannons to disperse the pro-monarchy protestors. The protestors threw stones at the police personnel and torched houses and vehicles. Several police personnel and pro-monarchy protestors were injured in the violence. The protestors chanted the slogans like "May King come to save the country", "Down with corrupt government" and "We want monarchy back".[25] After the conflict, a curfew was imposed at 4.25pm in the valley by the government and it was lifted on the next day at 7am.[26][27][28][29] The Nepalese Army were called to enforce the curfew. Over hundred of protestors were arrested by the police personnel.[25] The police personnel also arrested five royalist leaders Ravindra Mishra, Dhawal Shamsher Rana, Swagat Nepal, Santosh Tamang and Shepherd Limbu. The convener Nabaraj Subedi of the Joint People's Movement Committee, was put under house arrest. Similarly the Nepalese police began searching another prominent pro-monarchist leader Durga Prasai for arrest.[30][31][32]
Two people died and forty five people were injured in the violent clashes between police personnel and protestors.[33][34] One of the dead was a protestor and the other was a journalist for the news channel Avenues Television.[35] The office of the CPN-Unified Socialist party at Baneshwor was attacked. Similarly the offices of Kantipur Television and Annapurna Post newspaper were also attacked and vandalised by the protestors. The protestors also looted the Bhatbhateni Supermarket at Chabahil.[36]
After the eruption of the violent clashes in the capital, the Nepalese prime minister K P Sharma Oli called an emergency cabinet meeting to discuss the security situation.[37]
The second protest, which was against the pro-monarchy movement led by the Socialist Forum concluded peacefully at Bhrukuti Mandap in the valley. This protest was also against the corruptions and irregularities involved in the present ruling government but was in the favor of present federal republic system in the country.[38][39] They chanted the slogans like "Long live republican system", "Take action against corrupt people" and "Down with Monarchy".[25]
Consequences
editThe political parties supporting the present federal republic system in the country have blamed the former King Gyanendra Shah for the violence that took place during the pro-monarchy protest at Tinkune in the valley. Consequently, the government of Nepal reduced the security personnel from 25 to 16 deployed for the security of the former King.[40] In response the pro-monarchy supporters blamed the present government of Nepal for the violence took place during the protest. According to them, the present government had tried to tarnish the pro-monarchy movement.[41]
Similarly, the municipality of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City has also imposed penalty fine of the amount 7.93 lakhs on the ex-monarch for causing environmental damage and destruction of public property in the city during the violent protest.[42] On 30 March 2025 at the House of Representatives, the members of the ruling allies demanded arrest of the former monarch Gyanendra Shah over the violence that happened during the pro-monarchy protests on 28 March 2025, this was confronted and countered by the members of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party in the House.[43] The Nepalese prime minister K P Sharma Oli has accused the former King Gyanendra Shah for the violent incidents took place during the pro-monarchy protest. He symbolised and compared the violent incidents with terrorist activities, while addressing at the House of Representatives on 31 March 2025.[44] He also told in the parliament that the former King Gyanendra Shah would face legal action for the violence that took place during the protest.[45]
According to media reports, the government authority has initiated the process of revoking the passport of the ex-monarch. The authority has seized his Nepalese passport citing the allegations on him for the violence that took place during the pro-monarchy protest at Tinkune in the valley.[46][47][48]
According to media, the news of the violent protest in the international media have also affected the tourism sector in the country. The tentative western tourists have come in the mode of 'wait & watch’.[49] The neighbouring state of Bihar in India has been come to alert mode of it security system near the Indo - Nepal International Border line in the state due to the ongoing pro monarchy movement. A top officer of the central security force told Prabhat Khabar in an informal conversation that we are keeping an eye on what is happening inside Nepal. Keeping in mind the situation there, vigilance is being maintained and security has been increased at the checkpoints. Everyone has been asked to remain alert.[50]
Protest on 5 April 2025
editOn 5 April 2025, pro monarchists affiliated to the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) again continued to hold protests in parts of Kathmandu. It was led by the former ministers Pashupati Shumsher Rana and Prakash Chandra Lohani. This protest was held primarily in the favour of the demand to release the arrested royalist leaders.[51] They also demanded for independent investigation of the violent incidents took place during the protest of 28 March 2025 in the valley. They further demanded that the medical treatment for the injured people during the violent protests should be free.[52]
References
edit- ^ a b Press, Story by the Associated (10 March 2025). "Nepal's authoritarian king was ousted 19 years ago. Now many want the monarchy back". CNN. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
- ^ "Thousands welcome Nepal's ex-king to Kathmandu, demand return of monarchy". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
- ^ "Why Nepal is seeing a churn for Hindu monarchy". India Today. 10 March 2025. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
- ^ a b "Thousands rally in Kathmandu to welcome former king amid calls for return of monarchy". The Times of India. 9 March 2025. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
- ^ "UP CM's photo at pro-monarchist rally sparks controversy in Nepal". Business Standard.
- ^ "Videos show violent clashes, burning houses, and chaos as pro-monarchy protests shake Nepal". The Economic Times. 28 March 2025. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
- ^ "Making Sense of Nepal's Pro-monarchy Protests". thediplomat.com. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
- ^ Awale, Sonia (29 January 2025). "Pulse of the people". nepalitimes.com. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
- ^ a b "Ex-king returns to capital to rousing support". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
- ^ "Nepal's monarchy: Is a royal revival on the horizon? – DW – 03/28/2025". dw.com. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
- ^ PTI (9 March 2025). "Nepal's former King Gyanendra Shah arrives in Kathmandu amidst tight security". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
- ^ "Nepal Monarchy Restoration: नेपाल में लग रहे 'राजा वापस आओ, देश बचाओ, हम राजशाही चाहते हैं…' के नारे, राजा का शासन क्यों चाहते हैं लोग?". Jansatta (in Hindi). 10 March 2025. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
- ^ "Two decades after ousting their king, Nepalese protesters want him back". The Independent. 10 March 2025. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
- ^ ""Photos of UP CM Yogi Adityanath at pro-monarchist rally spark row in Nepal"". Hindustan Times.
- ^ "Maoist Centre suspends month-long campaign citing changed political scenario". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
- ^ a b "Nepal News Evening Briefing | Monday, March 10, 2025". Nepal News. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
- ^ "Attempt to challenge republican set-up to be met with revolution Prachanda". The Week. Retrieved 12 March 2025.
- ^ a b c "Pro-monarchists give Nepal govt a week to agree to demands". The Indian Express. 28 March 2025. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
- ^ "Pro-monarchists to intensify agitation to reinstate monarchy in Nepal". Business Standard.
- ^ "Pro-monarchists to intensify agitation to reinstate monarchy in Nepal". The Week. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
- ^ "Police plan traffic alternatives in view of demonstrations today". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
- ^ "Security tightened in Kathmandu for two mass rallies". The Himalayan Times.
- ^ a b "Republican and monarchist protests in Kathmandu set for showdown with tight security - OnlineKhabar English News". 28 March 2025. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
- ^ "Army out in Nepal after Gyanendra supporters clash with police, 2 dead". The Indian Express. 29 March 2025. Retrieved 29 March 2025.
- ^ a b c "2 killed, 30 hurt, over 100 arrested as Nepal monarchists clash with cops". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 29 March 2025.
- ^ "Tear gas, torched houses, and tensions: Pro-monarchy protests turn violent in Nepal - Video". The Times of India. 28 March 2025. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
- ^ "Vehicles torched as pro-monarchists clash with cops in Nepal, curfew in 3 areas". India Today. 28 March 2025. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
- ^ "Pro-monarchy protesters vandalise, set ablaze building in Tinkune". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
- ^ "Curfew in Nepal's Kathmandu as pro-monarchy protesters demanding restoration of Hindu kingdom clash with police". Hindustan Times.
- ^ Setopati, Setopati. "5 including Dhawal Shumsher Rana and Rabindra arrested; Prasai out of contact". Setopati. Retrieved 29 March 2025.
- ^ AP (29 March 2025). "Curfew lifted in east Kathmandu, over 100 pro-king demonstrators arrested for vandalising property". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 29 March 2025.
- ^ "Nepal crackdowns on pro-king activities; 51 monarchist leaders held". Business Standard.
- ^ Ellis-Petersen, Hannah (28 March 2025). "Two killed in Kathmandu rally demanding return of Nepal monarchy". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
- ^ Kathmandu Post
- ^ "Two dead, 45 injured in violent clashes in Kathmandu". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
- ^ "Nepal violence top development: Army called out in east Kathmandu; 2 killed, 15 hurt as pro-monarchy supporters clash with police during rally". The Times of India. 28 March 2025. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
- ^ Ellis-Petersen, Hannah (28 March 2025). "Two killed in Kathmandu rally demanding return of Nepal monarchy". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
- ^ Sharma, Gopal (28 March 2025). "Two dead as Nepal police use tear gas, sticks to break up pro-monarchy rally". Reuters. Retrieved 29 March 2025.
- ^ AP (28 March 2025). "At least 2 dead in Nepal after pro-monarchy supporters clash with police during rally". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 29 March 2025.
- ^ "Nepal Pro-Monarchy Protests: Ex-King Gyanendra Shah's Security Team Downsized". www.ndtv.com. Retrieved 31 March 2025.
- ^ "Frustrated with chaos, many in Nepal want return of king the country once deposed". The Times of India. 31 March 2025. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 31 March 2025.
- ^ "Kathmandu metropolis slaps former king Gyanendra Shah with a fine of Rs793,000". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 31 March 2025.
- ^ "Nepal's ruling allies demand ex-King's arrest, govt slashes his security". The Indian Express. 31 March 2025. Retrieved 31 March 2025.
- ^ "'Terrorist activities': Nepal's Oli blames former king Gyanendra Shah for unrest". The Times of India. 31 March 2025. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 31 March 2025.
- ^ "नेपाल के पूर्व राजा ज्ञानेंद्र शाह पर सख़्त हुए प्रधानमंत्री केपी शर्मा ओली". BBC News हिंदी (in Hindi). 31 March 2025. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
- ^ "Gov't to revoke Gyanendra's passport". Nepal News. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
- ^ "All eyes on Gyanendra: Former King lands in deep water after violent pro-monarchy protest". www.myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com. 8 August 2024. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
- ^ Bharatvarsh, TV9 (30 March 2025). "अब पासपोर्ट भी जब्त, पूर्व राजा ज्ञानेंद्र शाह के खिलाफ नेपाल की कम्युनिस्ट सरकार सख्त". TV9 Bharatvarsh (in Hindi). Retrieved 1 April 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Pro-monarchy protests alarm tourism sector, tourists in 'wait & watch' mode". myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com. 8 August 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
- ^ "नेपाल में आंदाेलन, बिहार से लगी सीमा नर अलर्ट". Prabhat Khabar (in Hindi). 3 April 2025. Retrieved 4 April 2025.
- ^ "Nepal: Pro-monarchy protesters hit Kathmandu streets again, days after a violent clash rocked Nepal | The Economic Times Podcast". m.economictimes.com. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
- ^ "Pro-monarchist RRP holds protest in Kathmandu, demands release of arrested leaders". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 7 April 2025.