Kathmandu

Hundreds of pro-monarchy supporters gathered in Kathmandu on Friday to welcome former king Gyanendra Shah, staging a show of strength weeks ahead of Nepal’s parliamentary elections scheduled for March 5.

Supporters affiliated with the right-wing Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) and other monarchist groups assembled near Tribhuvan International Airport and along sections of the capital’s ring road, raising slogans calling for the reinstatement of the monarchy.

As Shah’s vehicle exited the airport premises, demonstrators chanted phrases such as “Raja aau desh bachau” (Come back, King, save the nation) and “Nepali janata ke bhancha? Rajtantra le bhancha” (What do the Nepali people say? Reinstate the monarchy). Shah briefly stood through the sunroof of his vehicle, greeting supporters with a traditional Namaste gesture and a wave, while receiving flowers and offerings.

Security Tightened

Authorities imposed heightened security at Tribhuvan International Airport, restricting entry to ticketed passengers. The large turnout of demonstrators caused traffic congestion in surrounding areas, forcing travellers to walk considerable distances with their luggage.

Shah had returned to Kathmandu from Jhapa by helicopter after touring parts of the Madhesh region, including Janakpur. Earlier in the week, he had been staying in Pokhara.

Political Context

Nepal abolished its centuries-old monarchy in 2008, two years after a mass movement known as People's Movement II forced Gyanendra to relinquish direct rule. In 2006, he had dissolved parliament and assumed executive powers, triggering widespread protests and international pressure that ultimately led to the restoration of parliament and the transition to a republic.

The RPP, established in the 1990s after political parties were legalised under the constitutional monarchy, has consistently advocated for the restoration of the monarchy and the reinstatement of Nepal as a Hindu state. Its electoral performance has fluctuated over the years — winning eight seats in the 2008 Constituent Assembly, 13 in 2013, dropping to one in 2017, and rebounding to 14 seats in the 2022 general elections.

Although Shah himself is not contesting the upcoming polls, the RPP has fielded candidates for the March 5 election.

Early Elections After “Gen-Z Uprising”

The parliamentary elections were called ahead of schedule following the 2025 protests commonly referred to as the “Gen-Z uprising,” which led to the dissolution of parliament and the removal of then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

The two-day protests in September reportedly resulted in 76 deaths during clashes between demonstrators and security forces. The unrest, initially sparked by allegations of corruption and a social media ban, significantly altered Nepal’s political landscape.

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Nepal, a Himalayan nation situated between India and China, has a population of over 30 million, with Hindus forming the majority, according to the 2022 census.