BY EMMANUEL OGBONNA
Thousands of supporters of Nepal’s former monarch gathered outside Kathmandu’s main airport on Friday to welcome him home and renew calls for the restoration of the monarchy, nearly two decades after it was abolished in the Himalayan nation.
Gyanendra Shah waved to cheering crowds from the sunroof of his vehicle as it slowly made its way through a sea of supporters near Tribhuvan International Airport. Hundreds of police officers in riot gear were deployed to manage the throngs that converged at the main entrance, forming barricades and attempting to keep roadways clear as chants echoed through the area.
“Bring back the king. We love our king more than our own selves. Restore constitutional monarchy,” demonstrators shouted, many waving national flags and holding portraits of the former ruler. The atmosphere remained largely peaceful, with authorities reporting no arrests or major incidents during the gathering.
Supporters also lined the route from the airport to Gyanendra’s private residence in Kathmandu, turning major intersections into impromptu rally points. Traffic slowed to a crawl as vehicles carrying royalist backers followed the former king’s convoy, honking horns and waving banners.
Gyanendra had been returning from a visit to eastern Nepal, where smaller groups of supporters had also greeted him in recent days. He did not address the crowd upon his arrival and has so far refrained from publicly commenting on the renewed calls for reinstating the monarchy.
Nepal’s monarchy was formally abolished in 2008 after a dramatic political upheaval. In 2006, weeks of massive street protests forced Gyanendra to relinquish direct rule following his controversial move to dissolve parliament and assume executive powers. The demonstrations, known as the People’s Movement, led to the reinstatement of parliament and paved the way for the country’s transition to a federal democratic republic. Two years later, lawmakers voted to end the 240-year-old Shah dynasty, and Gyanendra vacated the Royal Palace to live as a private citizen.
Despite the institutional shift, a segment of the population has continued to advocate for the monarchy’s return, arguing that political instability and frequent changes in government have weakened governance and economic development. Nepal has seen numerous coalition governments and shifting alliances since becoming a republic, contributing to public frustration in some quarters.
Friday’s rally follows a similar show of support last year, when an estimated 10,000 royalists gathered at the airport to welcome the former king. Another pro-monarchy demonstration later that year turned violent, leaving two people dead and dozens injured after clashes between protesters and security forces. The memory of that unrest prompted heightened security preparations for this week’s event.
While royalist sentiment appears to be gaining visibility, analysts say the movement still faces significant political obstacles. In the most recent parliamentary elections, parties aligned with pro-monarchy platforms secured roughly 5% of the seats, far behind the country’s major political forces. Even among opposition groups critical of the current system, there is no unified push to reinstate the crown.
The renewed mobilization comes ahead of crucial parliamentary elections scheduled for next month. Pro-Gyanendra factions are campaigning on promises to restore a constitutional monarchy, positioning the former king as a unifying figure above party politics. However, constitutional changes required to reverse Nepal’s republican framework would demand broad parliamentary consensus and likely a national referendum, both of which remain uncertain prospects.
For many in the crowd on Friday, the rally was less about immediate political feasibility and more about symbolism. Supporters described the monarchy as a stabilizing institution and expressed dissatisfaction with what they see as endemic corruption and ineffective governance under successive elected administrations.
Authorities maintained a visible but restrained presence throughout the day, emphasizing crowd control rather than confrontation. By late afternoon, the roads around the airport had largely cleared, and normal traffic patterns began to resume.
Whether the latest display of support marks a sustained resurgence of royalist politics or remains a periodic expression of nostalgia is likely to be tested in the upcoming elections. For now, the former king’s return to Kathmandu has once again thrust Nepal’s unresolved debate over monarchy and republicanism into the national spotlight.
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