People in Kathmandu are protesting because they want Nepal’s former king to return. They are unhappy with the current government and feel that it has not brought stability to the country. Many believe that the republic system has failed, so they are now thinking that bringing back the king might be the only solution.
People want the king back
As the first bells of Navratri rang at the Taleju temple in Durbar Square, a whisper spread through the streets: “Raja aaunparcha.” This means “the king must return.” With Ramnavami approaching, a festival that celebrates righteous kings, the timing of these protests is significant.
At a small tea shop near Indra Chowk, Amrit Thapa, a 62-year-old man, stirred his tea while watching a group of people discussing the protests. He expressed his disappointment with the current political system, saying, “The politicians promised us a republic, but all we got was chaos. We’ve run out of options. Only the king is left.” His words reflect the sentiment of many who now regret abandoning the monarchy in 2008.
People in Kathmandu are protesting because they want the king to return. They are angry with the government and feel it has not made the country stable. Many think the new system is not working, so they believe bringing back the king is the only choice left.
The government has reduced the security team for former King Gyanendra Shah. Earlier, 25 security guards protected him, but now only 15 remain. A senior police official said, “There will be another decision in a few days.” This is part of the government’s plan to take away special benefits given to former leaders. In the past, 155 security personnel guarded the royal family, but this number has now been greatly reduced.
Even though the government has taken these steps, more people are supporting the return of the king. Reports say that tens of thousands of people are protesting, and some believe the number is even higher. Ravi Tamang, a 25-year-old shop owner, said, “There were lakhs when Gyanendra came back last week. And even more on Friday (March 28) when the police opened fire.”
The police took strong action against the protesters. During a rally near Singha Durbar, they used tear gas, batons, and water cannons to break up the crowd. Two people died in the violence, and over a hundred were injured. The government put a curfew in central Kathmandu, but the next day, protesters returned to the streets.
Tej Khatri, a 31-year-old shopkeeper, summed up the frustration of many, saying, “We’ve seen enough curfews. What we haven’t seen in years is anyone worth following.”
Frustration with the current system
Kathmandu has seen protests before, but this time, the movement feels different. It is not driven by a political party or a specific leader. Instead, people are coming together with a common feeling of dissatisfaction.
People are protesting because they are very unhappy with Nepal’s unstable government. Since King Gyanendra left in 2008, Nepal has had many different governments, but none have stayed long enough to make real changes or bring stability. The Maoists, who once fought to remove the king, are now part of the same government they once opposed. Corruption is everywhere, and many people feel they have no leaders they can trust.
Pema Rai, a schoolteacher, expressed this sentiment: “We’re not saying the king was a saviour. But at least there was someone. Now there’s just noise.”
There are mixed reactions to the protests. Some believe that the movement will fade away, just like past demonstrations. Madan Neupane, a souvenir shop owner, said, “This will pass. Every few years, people shout. Then they go back to work.” However, others believe this time is different. Sushila Lama, a food vendor, disagreed: “We’ve been quiet a long time. Too long. That’s over now.”
Among the working class, there is significant support for the former king. Ram Bahadur Pariyar, a taxi driver, explained, “Back then, we didn’t have much, but at least there was him at the top. Now, all the leaders are either hiding or robbing us.” Many people in Kathmandu believe that the monarchy, despite its flaws, provided a sense of order and stability that the republic has failed to achieve.
However, opinions among the middle class are divided. Some believe that Nepal needs a constitutional monarchy, where the king has a symbolic role but does not directly govern. Anuja Shrestha, a marketing executive, shared her thoughts: “Not the old system, most certainly. Just someone who isn’t a punchline.”
A movement without leaders
One of the most unusual aspects of these protests is that they are not led by any political party. There are no party flags—only Nepal’s national flag. Protesters are waving the crimson double triangle flag in defiance of laws that restrict its use on regular days.
Manoj Raut, a 19-year-old selling flags near the Tridevi temple, explained, “They don’t want faces anymore. Just the country.”
However, there are also concerns about the movement being misrepresented. Some protesters believe that the March 28 violence was staged by the government to weaken their cause. There is no clear evidence to support this claim, but after years of political instability, many Nepalese have grown suspicious of the government’s actions.
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