September 15th, 2025 - The Brief Dream of a Returning King in Nepal

Nepal recently experienced days of intense unrest, fueled largely by its younger population, which had previously succeeded in ousting the prime minister. The protests stirred fears and rumors that the country might see the return of a dethroned king. For a brief moment, the idea of restoring the monarchy captured imaginations, but that possibility quickly faded. Instead, it is Sushila Karki, a former chief justice, who now leads Nepal, following last week’s demonstrations and acts of arson, shutting the door on any immediate royalist revival.

The Gen Z protests revealed deep dissatisfaction with the country’s current political system. Even after the army restored order, many Nepalis were willing to reject a system they had spent decades fighting to establish, despite uncertainty about what should replace it. The protests were marked by anger at corruption and political elites rather than nostalgia for the monarchy, with demonstrators burning homes and vandalizing properties associated with leaders of the three major parties that have dominated Nepal’s government since 2015.

Observers noted that the protesters were not seeking the return of the king but were frustrated with the post-monarchical establishment. Amish Mulmi, a writer on Nepali politics, emphasized that the demonstrators “just didn’t want these parties back.” While Gen Z lacked a unifying figure, monarchist factions remain active, seeking to replace the current carousel of republican leaders with loyalty to the crown. Earlier in March, these groups had tried to restore King Gyanendra, only to be suppressed by police, foreshadowing the larger uprising.

The legacy of the Shah dynasty and the monarchy remains a haunting backdrop for the unrest. In 2001, a tragic palace massacre left Nepal’s crown prince responsible for killing King Birendra, the queen, and other royals before taking his own life. Gyanendra succeeded to the throne but never garnered widespread support, leading to the monarchy’s eventual collapse in 2008. The three dominant parties that emerged in the post-royal era—the Nepali Congress, Maoist, and Communist parties—have often been in conflict, with short-lived governments and pervasive corruption fueling public frustration.

Amid the chaos, pro-monarchy groups continue to advocate for a constitutional monarchy, seeing the king as a unifying symbol. Dhawal Shumshere Rana of the Rashtriya Rajatantra Party emphasized the king’s historical role in keeping the country united and suggested that Hinduism should remain the state religion. Despite these sentiments, Gen Z organizers deliberately distanced their movement from political symbols, reflecting their desire for broad-based reform rather than royal restoration.

Even as the protests raged, the former king remained largely on the sidelines, living in a decommissioned palace that was left untouched. Gyanendra expressed mild support for the youth’s aspirations, while his niece, Princess Purnika Shah, praised their courage but underscored the need for guidance and stability. The family’s response highlighted the delicate balance between acknowledging the protests and avoiding a direct return to power.

Ultimately, the monarchy was not restored. Sushila Karki was appointed interim prime minister, with Gen Z signaling approval of her leadership. She has announced elections for March 5 to fill the remaining legislative seats. While monarchists like Mr. Rana recognize that now is not the moment for a royal return, they remain attentive to future political shifts. A potential “counterrevolution” by the major parties after upcoming elections could create conditions for renewed calls for monarchy, keeping the question of royal influence alive in Nepal’s complex political landscape.

Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster) - Askance (adverb, uh-SKANSS) - Askance means "in a way that shows a lack of trust or approval" or "with a side-glance."

Example: I couldn't help but look askance at the dealer's assurances that the car had never been in an accident.