Former king joins movement to restore Nepal’s status as Hindu kingdom

In 2008, monarchy in Nepal came to an end, following a 240 year old rule. There are many in Nepal who are seeking the reinstatement of the monarchy

To restore Nepal's earlier status as a Hindu kingdom, former king of the country, Gyanendra Shah joined a public campaign.

The campaign was held on February 13 at Kakarbhitta in Nepal's Jhapa District. The main organiser of the campaign is Durga Prasai, who is a central committee member of the Communist Party of Nepal Unified Marxist Leninist Party.

The king however did not make any speech at the event. The presence of the king at the event is significant one, considering the uncertain and unstable political situation in the country.

During the event, the king and members of different Hindu sects lit lamps to mark the nationwide campaign. His son Paras, daughter Prerna and niece Sitashma have been campaigning fro the same cause at Damak.

Committee member and organiser, Durga Prasai described the current government's situation as 'suffocating.' He said that they never wished to become a republic that sends 10 million Nepalese youth to the Gulf nations.

Prasai however did not indicate a direct call for the return of the monarch.

The event took place on a day when Nepal's Prime Minister, Pushpa Kumar Dahal and his government declared a holiday on the 23rd anniversary of the Maoist war. However many in the ruling party were opposed to the idea of a holiday being declared for the same on February 13. This is the first time that such a holiday has been declared.

Further during the event, the committee member also demanded the the farmer loans taken from micro-finance companies and cooperative banks be waived off. He highlighted the plight of the farmers and said that their loans were forcing them to end their lives.

Nepal's monarchy:

Nepal was a monarchy for several centuries. However the last monarch was King Gynanedra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, who reigned from 2001 to 2008.

In 2008, Nepal's constituent assembly abolished monarchy and declared Nepal a federal democratic republic, bringing to an end 240 years of monarchy rule. The decision was made following a decade-long civil war which ended in 2006 with the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the Maoists and Nepali government.

Nepal has had several prime ministers since the abolishing of the monarchy.

However there are some people in Nepal who continues to support the reinstatement of the monarchy, while others staunchly oppose it.