Sixteen years ago, mass protests in Nepal forced then-King Gyanendra Shah to give up the throne and clear the way for a republic. Now, a new wave of protest is trying to bring him back.
Supporters of Rastriya Prajatantra Party, or national democratic party, wave their flags during a pro-monarchy protest in Kathmandu, Nepal, Feb. 21, 2024. Nepal’s once unpopular monarchy — abolished after centuries of rule over the Himalayan nation — is hoping to regain some of its lost glory. Royalist groups and supporters of former King Gyanendra have been holding rallies to demand the restoration of the monarchy and the nation’s former status as a Hindu state.
Gyanendra was a constitutional head of state without executive or political powers until 2005, when he seized absolute power. He disbanded the government and parliament, jailed politicians and journalists and cut off communications, declaring a state of emergency and using the army to rule the country.
In November, tens of thousands rallied in support of the king in Kathmandu, where riot police officers used batons and tear gas to halt them from marching to the center of the capital.“The king is the umbrella that is really needed to block and protect from all the pressure and influence that is being put on Nepal by countries like India, China or America,” said Rudra Raj Pandey, who was among the protesters at last month’s rally.
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