IS THE RETURN OF MONARCHY POSSIBLE IN NEPAL?

               Courtesy: Amrit Vichar

Until 16 years ago, Nepal was the only Hindu nation in the world. But after a Maoist movement and an alleged leftist revolution, the 238-year-old monarchy in this neighboring country of India was abolished, and Gyanendra Shah had to vacate the throne. But once again, the wind of change is blowing in Nepal. 

Recently, there has been a ruckus on the streets of Kathmandu over the demand for the restoration of monarchy and a Hindu nation. This movement became so violent in some parts of Kathmandu that 53 policemen, 22 Armed Police Force personnel, and 35 protesters were injured. 

Fourteen buildings were set on fire. Nine buildings were vandalized. Dozens of private and government vehicles were set on fire and smashed. Curfew had to be imposed in many areas.

This movement is an attempt to restore the old monarchy, which shows that the attraction to the king has not diminished in Nepali society. Sympathy for the king has emerged for two main reasons: the competition of principles among the political parties of Nepal and the excessive attachment to power.

In the 17 years from 2008 to 2025, 11 governments have been formed here. This simply means that the average tenure of any government was one and a half years. The three major political parties, Congress, Maoists, and UML were so busy in the race for power that they did not pay any attention to the public.

DEMAND FOR CHANGE IN THE GOVERNANCE SYSTEM  

As per a media report, a big political party is supporting Gyanendra Shah in demanding change in the governance system in Nepal. The name of this party is Rashtriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) which has been supporting Hindu Rashtra and monarchy in Nepal. Rashtriya Prajatantra Party considers Hindu Rashtra and monarchy to be complementary to each other for Nepal.

Let us tell you that in 2008, the Rashtriya Prajatantra Party won 8 seats in the Constituent Assembly out of the 575-seat Parliament. In the 2013 elections, it managed to win 13 seats. In 2017, it came down to 1 seat but returned with 14 seats in the 2022 elections.

People in Nepal now believe that the republic has failed to bring political stability. People are blaming it for the struggling economy and widespread corruption. They are demanding a constitutional monarchy that declares Nepal a parliamentary democracy with a Hindu identity.

People participating in the protest rally said that they wanted to prevent the country from deteriorating further and wanted a change in the political system. They believe that political parties are involved in corruption and have failed to lift the country out of poverty and political chaos.

The instability of the center also affected the states and there too the governments kept getting formed and dissolved along with the center. Due to so much political instability, the public, especially the middle class, started getting disillusioned with these political parties. Now people are remembering the old days.

 

 

THE REASONS THAT HAVE MADE THE YOUTH ANGRY WITH THE CURRENT SYSTEM.

Nepal, the first country in the world to end 'democracy' and start a struggle for the return of 'monarchy' in the hope of finding a solution to problems like corruption, unemployment and inflation in the 'shelter of the king', this movement has now started spreading from the mountains to the plains.

In Nepal, a border country of India, the movement for the return of "monarchy" has started gaining nationwide expansion in a very short time. Today, the hilly region of Nepal is agitating with the slogan "Raja Laau, Desh Bachau".

It is worth noting that according to the 2022 census, the population of Nepal, located in the lap of the Himalayas, is 30.55 million i.e. about 3.5 crores and 81.19 percent of the people here are Hindus. The role of industrial structure in Nepal's total gross domestic product (GDP) is 20 percent. This entire structure is dependent on agriculture-based products like sugar, jute, and tea.

Nepal's existing industries are still struggling with problems such as lack of infrastructure, lack of capital and lack of skilled labor force. In such a situation, there is an undeclared halt to the possibilities of job creation.

Nepal's agriculture sector is also a victim of a similar situation. Even today, agriculture is the main economic activity of Nepal, which employs about 65 percent of the population.

These are the reasons that have made the youth angry with the current system. The current situation cannot be considered suitable for the democratic system of Nepal.

Surprisingly, the participation of youth has started to be seen in this movement. Such youth have started coming out on the streets of Nepal with pro-monarchy slogans written on their bikes or their hands. These youth are angry with unemployment and inflation.

 

 

PEOPLE HAVE DIFFERENT VIEWS ABOUT THE CURRENT SITUATION IN NEPAL

A carpenter named Kulraj Shrestha said that 16 years ago he was involved in a protest to end the monarchy. He hoped that the situation would change. But he was proved wrong. Nothing has changed in Nepal, so he has changed his thinking.

Lakhs of Nepalis like Kulraj want their old days back. A man named Rajendra Kunwar, who attended the rally, said that there is instability in the country, prices are rising, and the condition of education and health is worse. He said that the poor do not have anything to eat, the rules of the country do not apply to the rich, so we want our king back.

One such youth, Birganj resident Subodh Kumar, told news agency Univarta, “Inflation and unemployment are at their peak. New industries are not being set up and most of the old industries are either sick or closed. In such a situation, the youth are feeling cheated.

Quoting Umesh Chauhan, editor of Nepal's popular newspaper Kantipur, BBC writes, "There is disappointment among the people of Nepal regarding the current government. And they are looking for alternative politics, but they see no solid alternative. In such a situation, supporters of the monarchy want to mobilize this discontent. I do not think that this discontent will go in favor of the monarchy."

Former Indian ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rai believes that there is disappointment among the people of Nepal, "The governments have not been able to live up to the expectations of the people but I doubt whether the monarchy will be able to get the people of Nepal out of this disappointment”

THE PATH IS NOT EASY

  

Nepal's major political parties, such as the Nepali Congress and the Communist parties, support secularism and democracy. Constitutionally restoring the monarchy would require extensive amendments and public support, which seems difficult at the moment. Nepal's Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has accused Gyanendra Shah of disrupting harmony.

His public appearances have increased in recent years, but he has maintained a distance from direct political rhetoric. However, the demonstrations in his support and the campaigns launched by him are being seen as an attempt at a political comeback.