Dr. Asis Mistry
In
2008, Nepal bid farewell to its centuries-old monarchy, embracing a republican
system with promises of democracy, inclusion, and social justice. The abolition
of the monarchy marked a watershed moment in Nepal’s political history, as the
people sought to dismantle feudal structures and usher in a new era of
participatory governance. Yet, nearly two decades later, an unexpected paradox
has emerged—a growing wave of pro-monarchy sentiment is taking root across the
country.
This
resurgence of monarchical nostalgia is not merely a reflection of romanticised
memories of the past but a stark indictment of the failures of Nepal’s
democratic experiment. As public frustration with corrupt political elites and
dysfunctional governance deepens, the monarchy—once dismissed as a relic of the
past—is being resurrected as a symbol of stability, order, and national pride.
The question now confronting Nepal is not merely whether democracy has failed
but whether the current political disillusionment is paving the way for a
“monarchy redux.”
From Revolution to
Regression: The Democratic Promise Unfulfilled
Nepal’s
transition to democracy was fuelled by aspirations for greater accountability,
economic development, and social justice. The 2006 People’s Movement (Jana
Andolan-II) culminated in the abolition of the monarchy and the establishment
of a federal republic in 2008. However, despite these monumental changes, the
dreams of a just and inclusive Nepal remain largely unfulfilled.
Over
the years, Nepal’s political arena has become synonymous with corruption,
nepotism, and inefficiency. The unchecked dominance of three major
political parties—Nepali Congress (NC), Communist Party of Nepal-Unified
Marxist-Leninist (CPN-UML), and Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist Centre
(CPN-MC)—has resulted in a revolving door of political elites prioritising
personal power over public welfare. Leaders such as Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli,
Pushpa Kamal Dahal, and Sher Bahadur Deuba have consistently demonstrated an
insatiable appetite for control, leaving the nation’s democratic ideals
battered and bruised.
Institutional
decay has further deepened public disillusionment. Parliament has been reduced
to a space for partisan bickering, the judiciary’s independence has been
compromised, and the executive has become a playground for patronage politics.
Ordinary citizens, who once believed that democracy would empower them, now
find themselves marginalised and alienated from the very system that was meant
to serve them.
The Return of the Crown:
A Cry for Stability Amid Chaos
In
this vacuum of accountability and governance, the monarchy is being
reimagined—not as a return to feudalism but as an antidote to the chaos of
Nepal’s political disorder. The growing pro-monarchy sentiment reflects a
deep-seated yearning for stability and order in a system where unpredictability
and incompetence have become the norm. For many, King Gyanendra’s brief return
to power in 2005—despite its authoritarian overtones—represents a period when
national unity and sovereignty were prioritised over political gamesmanship.
This
narrative of monarchical resurgence is not without its complexities.
Pro-monarchy activism is no longer confined to the older generation nostalgic
for the past; it has found resonance among Nepal’s youth, many of whom were
born after the abolition of the monarchy. This generation, disillusioned by the
systemic failures of democracy, perceives the monarchy as a stabilizing force
capable of restoring national identity and dignity. Social media platforms have
become fertile ground for pro-monarchy discourse, with hashtags such as
#BringBackTheKing and #SaveNepal gaining traction among the country’s
disillusioned youth.
A ‘Five-Legged Dog’: The
Dysfunction of Nepal’s Political System
Nepal’s
post-monarchy political structure is often likened to a “five-legged dog”—an
unnatural, dysfunctional, and unstable system struggling to move forward. The
fragmentation of power among political elites has led to a system where
personal ambitions trump national interest. Governance has become a zero-sum
game where political parties are more focused on maintaining their grip on
power than addressing the grievances of the public.
The
consequences of this dysfunction are profound. Economic stagnation, rampant
corruption, and the erosion of public trust have left Nepal teetering on the
brink of a political abyss. In this context, the monarchy is being recast as a
beacon of stability—a sentiment that is not entirely irrational given the
failures of Nepal’s current political landscape.
The Myth of the ‘Golden
Age’: Fact or Fiction?
At
the heart of the pro-monarchy revival lies the myth of the ‘golden age’—a
romanticised vision of a time when the monarch was perceived as the custodian
of national unity and integrity. However, this idealised view glosses over the
harsh realities of monarchical rule, which was characterised by
authoritarianism, suppression of dissent, and structural inequalities. While
King Mahendra and King Birendra are often remembered for maintaining stability
and sovereignty, their reigns were far from democratic.
Yet,
political memory is selective, and in times of crisis, people often look
to the past for solutions. The failure of Nepal’s democratic institutions to
deliver on their promises has created fertile ground for this myth to flourish,
making the monarchy appear as a preferable alternative to the existing chaos.
The Geopolitical
Chessboard: India, China, and the Monarchical Question
Nepal’s
political evolution cannot be viewed in isolation from its geopolitical
environment. Sandwiched between India and China, Nepal’s strategic significance
has made it a playground for competing regional interests. Both India and China
maintained close ties with Nepal’s monarchy, viewing it as a stabilising force
that safeguarded their respective strategic interests.
A
potential revival of the monarchy raises questions about the future trajectory
of Nepal’s foreign policy. While neither India nor China may overtly advocate
for the return of the monarchy, they are unlikely to ignore the implications of
such a shift. If pro-monarchy forces gain significant traction, regional actors
will undoubtedly recalibrate their strategies to safeguard their interests in
Nepal.
Is Monarchy a Democratic
Alternative?
It
is essential to recognise that monarchy cannot be a democratic alternative. By
its very nature, monarchy centralises power and contradicts the core principles
of participatory governance. However, the growing sentiment for the restoration
of the monarchy is less about embracing authoritarianism and more about
rejecting a dysfunctional democracy.
If
pro-monarchy forces succeed in galvanising widespread public support, the issue
should be addressed through democratic processes—possibly through a referendum.
A ceremonial monarchy, modelled after constitutional monarchies in the United
Kingdom or Japan, could potentially act as a unifying symbol while preserving
democratic institutions. However, such a transition would require not only
constitutional amendments but also widespread public consensus, which remains
elusive in Nepal’s fragmented political landscape.
The Way Forward:
Restoring Trust in Democracy
Nepal
stands at a critical juncture where the crisis of democratic legitimacy
threatens to undo the hard-fought gains of the last two decades. The resurgence
of pro-monarchy sentiment is not a rejection of democracy but a reflection of
the public’s disillusionment with its current form. To safeguard Nepal’s democratic
future, political leaders must undertake bold reforms to restore public trust
in governance.
Restoring
legitimacy will require dismantling the culture of corruption, ensuring
judicial independence, and fostering an environment where dissent is not viewed
as a threat but as a vital component of democracy. Unless these structural
deficiencies are addressed, Nepal risks slipping further into a dangerous
terrain where nostalgia for autocracy replaces hope for democratic progress.
Monarchy Redux or
Democratic Renewal? The Choice is Nepal’s
The
question facing Nepal today is not whether the monarchy is a better alternative
but whether Nepal’s political leadership can rise above partisan politics to
redeem the promise of democracy. A democracy that fails to deliver justice and
equity breeds discontent, and in Nepal, this discontent is finding its voice in
the growing calls for monarchical restoration. The onus is now on Nepal’s
political elites to confront this paradox and chart a course that ensures
democratic renewal before it is too late.
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Author: Dr. Asis Mistry, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science,
University of Calcutta, Email- asismistry.cu@gmail.com
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