Surging Public Support for Monarchy Amidst State Suppression

• Rabi Giri

Nepal's contemporary political landscape has reached a critical juncture. Citizens have grown increasingly disillusioned with the performance of ruling parties under the constitutional democratic republican system. The state's economic mismanagement, rampant corruption, bureaucratic inefficiency, rising inflation, and foreign-leaning policies have fueled widespread public frustration. On the foundation of this discontent, the movement demanding the restoration of the monarchy has gained such momentum that major political forces can no longer afford to ignore it.

The Wave That Began on Chaitra 15, 2081

The peaceful pro-monarchy campaign that began on Chaitra 15, 2081 BS, has continued to grow steadily. Since that date, protests have spread from Kathmandu to major cities like Butwal, Dhangadhi, Pokhara, Biratnagar, Dharan, Hetauda, and Chitwan. People from all walks of life—youth, elderly, women, businessmen, and farmers—have joined in.

Slogans such as “Bring Back the King, Save the Nation,” “Republic Has Failed,” and “Protect Our Religion, Culture, and Identity” have echoed across rallies. Youth participation, in particular, and the active promotion of the movement through social media, have helped propel it to the national level.

Rising Consciousness Amidst Suppression

Even peaceful rallies, banner marches, and slogan-chanting events have faced obstruction by state security forces. Participants have been stopped, arrested without cause, curfews (Section 144) imposed, and rally routes forcibly altered.

Throughout Baisakh 2082 alone, dozens of rallies took place in the Kathmandu Valley—some of which were met with police force. Notably, during the major protest on Chaitra 15 in the capital, police reportedly used not just tear gas and warning shots, but also live bullets. One, critically injured by police gunfire that day, died during treatment—an incident that has further inflamed public outrage across the country.

Arrests, House Arrests, and Human Rights Violations

Around 100 leaders and activists, including prominent figures like Durga Prasai and Rabindra Mishra, were arrested from various locations. These sweeping arrests, along with the use of force, raise serious concerns regarding human rights violations.

In a deeply controversial move, Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Member of Parliament Dhawal Shamsher Rana, who expressed solidarity with the protests, was arrested. Likewise, Navaraj Subedi, coordinator of the Joint People’s Movement Committee, was placed under de facto house arrest without formal charges. such actions by the government are inflaming rather than quelling the protests.

National and international human rights organizations have expressed serious concern about the government’s conduct. Interference with peaceful protest and prolonged detentions without charges have cast doubt on Nepal’s commitment to legal and democratic principles.

Why the Return of Monarchy is Being Reconsidered

The support for monarchy today is neither purely emotional nor a nostalgic longing for the past. For many, it represents a search for an alternative system—one that offers stability, national unity, and a clear center of decision-making authority. The instability, internal conflicts, and abuse of power by political parties have led many to believe that “if the King returns, at least discipline and national dignity might return as well.”

Supporters of the monarchy are calling for constitutional reforms to reinstate a “Constitutional Monarchy,” where the King would serve not as a ruler, but as a symbolic guardian of nationality, culture, and stability.

Conclusion

The movement that began on Chaitra 15, 2081, is no longer limited to slogans. It has evolved into an intellectual, cultural, and political reckoning for the nation. The government and ruling parties must treat this wave with seriousness. Suppression, arrests, and prohibitions will not stop this movement—they will only deepen the public’s resolve and outrage.

Whether or not to change the system of governance is ultimately the people’s decision. But if the ruling side fails to demonstrate the political maturity required for dialogue and responsiveness, then yet another wave of change may become inevitable.

The writer is currently based in New York, USA.