Khusbu Oli

The streets of Kathmandu are once again protesting as the Nepal monarchy restoration movement gains momentum. The recent arrest of former Home Minister Kamal Thapa during a Nepal pro-monarchy protest has intensified tensions, raising critical questions about Nepal’s future: Will the nation return to a constitutional monarchy, or will the republic hold firm amid growing unrest?

In an exclusive discussion with Indian media NDTV WORLD, Khusbu Oli, a central committee member of the Rashtriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), defended the protests, framing them not as a nostalgic revival of monarchy but as a desperate plea for stability, accountability and economic survival.

Kamal Thapa’s Arrest and Restricted Protest Zones

Things took a serious turn in the Nepal Protest 2025 when police detained Kamal Thapa and six others for standing up against the government’s new protest ban. Their arrest has struck a nerve with many Nepalis, adding fuel to the growing frustration and pushing more people to join the call for restoring the monarchy. The government, citing "security concerns," has confined demonstrations to just three locations:

• Koteshwor

• Balkhu

• Sifal Ground

"Peaceful Protest is Not a Crime" Government Crackdown and Suppression

Khusbu Oli argues that this move is authoritarian suppression, not governance:

"Peaceful protest is a constitutional right under Article 17 of Nepal. If the government truly believed in democracy, they would engage in dialogue, not arrest voices of dissent."

Why Is the Government Afraid?

• Growing Public Anger: Across Nepal, frustration is boiling over as citizens grow tired of unchecked corruption, political deadlock and a system that seems to serve only the powerful. The people’s movement isn’t just a protest but a loud demand for dignity, justice and real change.

• A Historic Shift in the Making: Nearly two decades ago, the democratic wave brought down the monarchy. But now, a reverse tide is building. With growing disillusionment in current governance, many believe Nepal may be witnessing the rebirth of a monarchy movement driven not by nostalgia, but by a desperate hope for stability.

"We’re Not Going Back—We’re Moving Forward" – The Case for Constitutional Monarchy

Why Restore the Monarchy Now?

Critics argue that the 2006 Nepal revolution ended the monarchy for good. But Khusbu counters:

"This isn’t about turning back time. It’s about fixing a broken system that has given Nepal 14 governments in 10 years where each one failed to deliver stability."

RPP’s Vision: A Ceremonial King, Not an Absolute Ruler

·       Constitutional Monarchy: Supporters see the return of a constitutional monarchy not as a step back, but as a way to bring political balance. They argue that a neutral, unifying figurehead could ease the chaos of party politics without threatening democracy.

 

·       Hindu State Debate: While the idea sparks controversy, its advocates say returning Nepal as a Hindu state would restore cultural pride and identity. They also believe it could revitalize religious tourism and reconnect the nation with its historical roots.

 

"Our Youth Are Fleeing because Nepal Offers Them Nothing"

·       Brain Drain Crisis: Every year, thousands of young Nepalis leave for Qatar, Australia and beyond not by choice, but out of desperation. With limited opportunities in Nepal, Nepal is losing its brightest minds and strongest hands to foreign economies.

 

·       Economic Collapse: Corruption has eaten away at the heart of Nepal’s economy, leaving once promising sectors like agriculture, tourism and infrastructure in ruins. What should have been pillars of national growth are now shadows of their potential, mismanaged and underfunded.

 

"Governance Reform or Collapse" – The Real Demands Behind the Protests

Beyond Monarchy: What Protesters Actually Want

1. End Systemic Corruption – Protesters are fed up with leaders who treat Nepal like their personal ATM—pocketing public funds while hospitals lack beds and roads remain broken. The call is loud and clear: enough is enough. It’s time for accountability, transparency, and leaders who actually serve the people.

2. Revive Agriculture & Tourism – Nepal’s rich soil and breathtaking landscapes should be a source of national strength—not poverty. Protesters are demanding urgent reforms and investments to breathe life back into agriculture and tourism, two sectors that could lift millions out of hardship and bring dignity back to rural livelihoods.

3. Stop the Youth Exodus – Young Nepalis are leaving in droves, not because they want to, but because they have no other choice. The streets echo with one demand—create opportunities at home. Protesters want a future where the next generation stays, thrives, and builds Nepal, not someone else’s country.

Geopolitical Tensions: Will Nepal Become a Proxy Battlefield?

• China’s Growing Influence: Infrastructure investments raise concerns about sovereignty.

• India’s Strategic Watch: Delhi monitors unrest, given Nepal’s historical ties.

• Western Pressures: Human rights groups condemn protest crackdowns.

Khusbu’s message is clear:

"This isn’t about geopolitics, it’s about Nepalis reclaiming their future."

 

"Will the King Return?"

Can the Monarchy Really Be Restored?

• Legal Hurdles: The 2015 constitution abolished the monarchy—reversing it requires a referendum.

• Public Sentiment: While protests grow, not all Nepalis support a royal return.

Two Possible Futures for Nepal

1. Status Quo (Republic): Continued instability, corruption, and youth exodus.

2. Constitutional Monarchy: A symbolic king stabilizes politics, but will elites allow it?

"Can You Afford 10 More Years of Chaos?"

If not, then the Nepal monarchy restoration movement may be the only path forward.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How did Nepal evolve from monarchy to democracy?

Nepal transitioned from an absolute monarchy to a federal democratic republic in 2008 after the People’s Movement II (2006) overthrew King Gyanendra’s autocratic rule, culminating in the abolition of the 240-year-old monarchy.

2. What was the role of King Tribhuvan in introducing democracy?

King Tribhuvan supported Nepal’s first democratic revolution in 1951, aligning with the anti-Rana movement to end the Rana oligarchy and establish a constitutional monarchy.

3. Why was the monarchy abolished in Nepal?

The monarchy was abolished due to King Gyanendra’s authoritarian rule (2005–2006), public anger over corruption, and demands for a republic after the 2006 People’s Movement.

4. What was the April 2006 movement’s aim?

The April 2006 movement (People’s Movement II) aimed to restore democracy, end King Gyanendra’s direct rule, and establish a secular federal republic.

5. Which party led Nepal’s nonviolent democracy movement?

The Nepali Congress (NC) and Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) spearheaded the 1990 and 2006 movements against monarchy.

6. What happened in October 2002 in Nepal?

King Gyanendra dissolved the elected government in October 2002, citing political instability, and later seized absolute power in February 2005, triggering the 2006 revolution.

7. Was Nepal ever a monarchy?

Yes, Nepal was a Hindu monarchy for 240 years (1768–2008) under the Shah dynasty until the 2008 Constituent Assembly vote established a republic.

8. What was Nepal’s first democracy movement?

The 1951 revolution ended the Rana regime, with King Tribhuvan restoring power to political parties, marking Nepal’s first democratic experiment.

9. Who was Nepal’s first king?

Prithvi Narayan Shah (1723–1775) unified Nepal in 1768 and founded the Shah dynasty, ruling as the first king of Kathmandu (then Kantipur).

10. What is the current monarchy restoration movement?

The 2024–2025 protests, led by RPP, demand a constitutional monarchy to counter political instability, corruption, and mass youth migration.