KATHMANDU, Nepal – A mass protest demanding the restoration of the monarchy took place in Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital, on Dec. 5. Thousands of pro- monarchy protestors from all over the country gathered at Maitighar, Kathmandu, and walked toward New Baneshwor, where the federal parliament building is located.
The demonstrators chanted slogans such as “King, please come back and save the country,” “We want the King,” and “Declare Nepal as a Hindu state.”
The demonstration was organized by the National Civic Moment Committee 2020. The protestors held national flag of Nepal and placards of the late King Prithivi Narayan Shah, the first Shah King of unified Nepal, who is also considered as the founding father of modern Nepal. Nepal adopted the Federal Democratic Republican system in 2008 after the abolition of the 240-year-old monarchy.
Demonstrators chant slogans in favor of the monarchy at protest held in Kathmandu, on Dec. 5. 2020. (Photo by Nishant S. Gurung)
The demonstrators also chanted slogans against the currently governing Nepal Communist Party, which became the ruling party after a merger between a communist alliance of CPN-UML and the CPN Maoist after the 2017 election.
The administration under the Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli has been heavily criticized as it faces several charges, including protecting the corrupt, failing to deliver according to the constitution and posing a threat to the principles and norms of the democracy.
Other pro-monarchy demonstrations have taken place in various major cities of Nepal, including Pokhara and Butwal.
Nepal was ruled by the Shah dynasty starting in 1768, with Prithivi Narayan Shah serving as the first king. His ancestors continued to rule Nepal until May 2008, when King Gyanendra was dethroned after the people’s movement of that same year. A new constitution was voted in 2008 by the Nepalese Parliament, declaring the abolition of monarchy and the new parliament republic became the Nepalese political framework.
A sadhu holds a national flag of Nepal as he walks toward the federal building during a protest, in Kathmandu, on Dec. 5, 2020. (Photo by Nishant S. Gurung)
Why are people demanding restoration of a monarchy?
The weak performance of the current ruling Nepal Communist Party, who’ve been heavily criticized for infighting, corruption, failure to address the people’s needs and the party’s poor handling of the pandemic.
Who are these people and where do they come from?
A protestors chants slogans against the ruling government during a protest held in favor of the monarchy, in Kathmandu, on Dec. 5, 2020. (Photo by Nishant S. Gurung)Demonstrators hold the banner of the National Civic Moment 2020 with a picture of the late King Prithivi Narayan Shah during a protest in favor of the monarchy, in Kathmandu, on Dec. 5, 2020. (Photo by Nishant S. Gurung)Demonstrators chant slogans in favor of the monarchy a protest held in Kathmandu, on Dec. 5, 2020. (Photo by Nishant S. Gurung)Shamans play the drum while they take part in a protest demanding the reinstatement of Monarchy, in Kathmandu, on Dec. 5, 2020. Photos: Nishant S. Gurung/Zenger NewsA demonstrator waves the national flag of Nepal during the pro monarchy protest held in Kathmandu, on Dec. 5, 2020. (Photo by Nishant S. Gurung)Protestors walk towards the federal parliament building chanting pro monarchy slogans, in Kathmandu, on Dec. 5, 2020. (Photo: Nishant S. Gurung)Nepal Police stand guard during a protest held in favor of the monarchy, in Kathmandu, on Dec. 5, 2020. (Photo by Nishant S. Gurung)Demonstrators holding the national flag of Nepal take part in a protest demanding the reinstatement of Monarchy, in Kathmandu, on Dec. 5, 2020. (Photo by Nishant S. Gurung)
These demonstrations are carried out by a pro-royalist group of people named the National Civic Movement Committee. They have been supported by the Rastriya Prajatantra Party, which is a monarchist and Hindu nationalist political party in Nepal. Despite the end of the royal regime in 2008, there are many citizens in Nepal who still favor the royal family and monarchy system in Nepal.
Last weekend’s protest is the largest in favor of the monarchy since a new constitution was ratified in 2015 in Nepal.
