The ongoing anti-government protests involving a significant number of Nepalese citizens have raised a pressing question: Is this South Asian nation on the path to reinstating its ousted monarchy?
It appears that a growing segment of the Nepalese populace has become disillusioned with what they describe as the “poor performance” of the left-leaning regime in Kathmandu, which has held sway for nearly two decades. Pro-monarchy rallies and demonstrations, often without a central leader or political party affiliation, continue to draw hundreds of thousands of participants.
A spontaneous movement advocating for the return of the last king, Gyanendra Shah, to the Narayanhiti Palace and the re-establishment of Nepal as a Hindu Rashtra has gained notable momentum across the Himalayan nation.
Nepal, a relatively peaceful country with a population exceeding 29 million, has recently witnessed a surge in pro-monarchy demonstrations. A massive rally in Kathmandu on March 28 attracted international media attention. What began as a peaceful protest eventually turned violent, as demonstrators targeted police personnel and commercial buildings, including offices of political parties and media outlets.
Numerous establishments were vandalized or set ablaze, along with several government vehicles stationed at the protest site. At least three individuals—including a television journalist—lost their lives, while 128 people, including 77 security personnel, sustained injuries.
The deceased journalist, identified as Suresh Rajak (35), was a cameraperson affiliated with the news channel Avenues TV.
The Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) subsequently organized nationwide protests, demanding strict action against those responsible for Rajak’s death. He had been documenting the protest when he was killed. Expressing deep concern over attacks on multiple media outlets during the pro-monarchy movement, the FNJ also called for legal action against the perpetrators and urged the government to ensure the safety and security of media professionals.
The Geneva-based Press Emblem Campaign (PEC), a global organization advocating media safety and rights, condemned Rajak’s killing and called for a transparent investigation into the tragedy. PEC President Blaise Lempen, expressing profound grief over Rajak’s untimely death, also urged the government to provide adequate compensation to his bereaved family.
Rajak was the first journalist to be killed in Nepal in 2025 and the 44th media professional to be killed globally so far this year.
Nepal formally abolished its monarchy in 2008. In the general elections held in November 2022, no single political party secured a majority in the 275-member House of Representatives.
Currently, Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli, leader of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist), governs through a coalition with support from the Nepali Congress. The first republican Prime Minister, Pushpa Kamal Dahal (also known as Prachanda), who leads the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre), now serves in the opposition. All major political leaders remain opposed to the restoration of monarchy in Nepal.
However, prolonged political instability, widespread corruption, and deteriorating public welfare have fueled perceptions among many Nepali citizens that political parties are primarily engaged in power struggles for personal gain. Critics allege that both ruling and opposition leaders rotate power among themselves without adequately addressing the grievances and needs of the general public.
Amid this discontent, the pro-monarchy Rastriya Prajatantra Party has distanced itself from mainstream political forces and continues to advocate for the return of Gyanendra Shah to the throne.
Nevertheless, a lead article in The Kathmandu Post, headlined “Why Monarchy is Unlikely to Return in Nepal”, argues against such a possibility. Written by Bhim Bhurtel, a practitioner of Tantra, the article emphasizes that Nepal’s progress depends on confronting its current challenges rather than revisiting its monarchical past.
“Gyanendra’s hopes still rest on a political mobilization he has yet to undertake. The crown remains a relic—its restoration as improbable as conjuring a feast from the ether. Nonetheless, Nepal must navigate the challenges of its republican system,” Bhurtel concluded.
