The Resurgence of Monarchist Sentiment in Nepal: Causes, Challenges, and Prospects

Monarchist Sentiment in Nepal.

Nepal, a nation cradled in the lap of the Himalayas, is a land of unparalleled natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and profound historical significance. For centuries, the monarchy was the cornerstone of Nepal’s identity, serving as a unifying force and a symbol of national pride. However, in 2008, following decades of political turmoil, the monarchy was abolished, and Nepal was declared a federal democratic republic. Yet, in recent days, there has been a growing fascination among Nepalis for the restoration of the monarchy, with many viewing it as a potential remedy for the political instability, corruption, and social fragmentation that have plagued the country since its transition to republicanism. This essay explores the reasons behind this fascination, examining the historical, cultural, and political dimensions of the monarchy’s legacy and its potential role in fostering national unity and stability in contemporary Nepal.

Political Instability and Governance Failures

Nepal’s transition to democracy in 2008 was met with high hopes, but persistent political instability has severely undermined public confidence in the system. In just 17 years, the country has witnessed 13 different governments, none completing a full term​. The frequent changes in leadership have resulted in policy inconsistency, lack of long-term planning, and an inability to address fundamental governance issues. Many citizens feel that elections have done little beyond replacing faces in power, while political parties remain embroiled in factionalism and self-serving interests​.

Monarchy, in contrast, is perceived by many as a stabilising institution that once provided continuity in governance. Under the Shah kings, political transitions were less frequent, and state policies, particularly in infrastructure and national development, followed long-term visions. This perception of stability has fueled public nostalgia for the monarchy, particularly as recent governments have failed to implement reforms effectively. With street protests growing and calls for the return of the king gaining momentum, the monarchy is increasingly seen as an alternative to a dysfunctional republic​.

Economic Struggles and Rising Unemployment

Economic difficulties have played a major role in the resurgence of monarchist sentiment. Nepal’s economy has stagnated under democratic governance, with inflation rising, industrial growth stagnating, and unemployment pushing many Nepalis abroad for work​. Remittances from migrant workers form a significant portion of Nepal’s GDP, but this dependence on foreign employment is unsustainable in the long term​.

In contrast, many believe that Nepal’s economy was better managed under the monarchy, particularly during the reign of King Mahendra and King Birendra, when infrastructure projects and national identity-building were prioritised​. While the monarchy was not without economic challenges, it is widely perceived as having provided a more predictable economic environment. The current democratic system, tainted by corruption and inefficiency, has left many disillusioned, prompting them to look back at royal rule as a period of greater stability and economic progress​.

Corruption and Public Distrust in Politicians

Widespread corruption is another major factor fuelling monarchist sentiment. Over the past decade, multiple high-profile corruption scandals, such as the Lalita Niwas land scam and gold smuggling cases, have severely damaged public trust in democratic institutions​. Political leaders are often accused of prioritising personal gain over national interests, further disillusioning the populace.

While the monarchy was not immune to corruption, many believe that the level of accountability under royal rule was higher than in the current system​. The perception that kings had a vested interest in the long-term stability of the nation, as opposed to politicians who seek short-term electoral gains, has strengthened the pro-monarchy argument. The growing perception of democratic failure is pushing people to seek alternatives, with the monarchy emerging as a symbol of integrity and stability in contrast to the corrupt political class​.

National Identity and Religious Sentiment

Nepal was the world’s only Hindu kingdom until it was declared a secular state in 2008​. For many conservative Hindus, this transition was not only a political shift but also an identity crisis. The monarchy was closely associated with Nepal’s Hindu identity, and its abolition has left many feeling disconnected from their cultural heritage​.

Hindu nationalist movements in Nepal, some with ideological backing from India, have called for both the return of the king and the reinstatement of Nepal as a Hindu state​. Monarchist protests frequently feature religious slogans and imagery, reinforcing the connection between Hindu identity and royal rule. While Nepal is home to a diverse range of ethnic and religious groups, the demand for a Hindu monarchy continues to resonate with many who see secularism as an imposition rather than a democratic choice​.

The Role of Former King Gyanendra and Royalist Movements

Former King Gyanendra has played a calculated role in the resurgence of monarchist sentiment. Though he has not formally declared an intention to reclaim the throne, his public appearances and statements have subtly encouraged the movement​. In February 2025, on Nepal’s Democracy Day, he issued a statement highlighting the failures of the current system and calling for national unity, which many interpreted as a veiled endorsement of royal restoration​.

Royalist parties, particularly the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), have capitalised on this sentiment, organising mass rallies in support of monarchy​. However, the movement remains fragmented, with divisions over whether to push for a constitutional monarchy or a return to absolute rule. Despite the public demonstrations, the monarchy lacks formal political backing. The RPP, the primary pro-monarchy party, won only 14 out of 275 parliamentary seats in the 2022 elections, showing limited legislative influence​.

Obstacles to Monarchy’s Restoration

While the resurgence of monarchist sentiment is evident, significant hurdles make its actual restoration unlikely. The 2015 Constitution firmly establishes Nepal as a federal democratic republic, and any attempt to reinstate the monarchy would require a two-thirds parliamentary majority, which is nearly impossible given the current political landscape​. Major parties, including the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML, remain staunchly opposed to any return of royal rule​.

Additionally, international stakeholders, particularly India, China, and the United States, have shown no support for the restoration of Nepal’s monarchy. Given Nepal’s strategic geopolitical position, foreign powers prioritise stability, and none see monarchy as a viable solution to the country’s political problems​.

The Future of Monarchist Sentiment in Nepal

Despite the challenges to reinstating the monarchy, the growing fascination with royal rule is a warning sign for Nepal’s democratic system. Public dissatisfaction is not necessarily a vote for the monarchy but rather an indictment of the failures of the republic​. If democratic leaders fail to address corruption, economic stagnation, and governance inefficiencies, nostalgia for monarchy will continue to grow, potentially destabilising Nepal’s fragile democracy.

Some analysts suggest that a compromise solution could be a constitutional monarchy, similar to the models in the United Kingdom or Japan, where the king serves as a ceremonial figurehead while governance remains democratic​. However, such a transition would require significant constitutional amendments and political consensus, which currently seems unlikely.

Conclusion

The resurgence of monarchist sentiment in Nepal is driven by deep-seated frustrations with political instability, corruption, economic struggles, and a perceived loss of national identity. While the nostalgia for monarchy is understandable, significant constitutional, political, and international obstacles make the restoration of royal rule improbable. However, the growing support for monarchy serves as a stark reminder of the failures of Nepal’s democratic system.

For Nepal’s democracy to thrive, political leaders must urgently address the root causes of public discontent. Strengthening governance, tackling corruption, fostering economic growth, and ensuring inclusive representation are essential steps in preventing further erosion of faith in democracy. Whether or not the monarchy returns, Nepal’s future depends on its ability to build a system that genuinely serves its people, fostering stability, national unity, and progress.