Kathmandu [Nepal], April 13 (ANI): Nepal’s deposed King Gyanendra Shah has released a video message expressing hope that the country will move toward a new system aligned with the people’s will.
In a 13-minute video statement, Shah addressed the nation as the monarch of Nepal, wishing the country progress in the upcoming year. He expressed optimism that Nepal would shift toward a new system in line with the aspirations of the people.
“We view the growing awareness among the Nepalese people about the nation and its future positively. The patriotic sentiment among us is truly exemplary and worthy of emulation worldwide. The awakening to free the country from existing complexities and build a peaceful, stable, prosperous nation has installed confidence that the New Year 2082 will bring results aligned with the aspirations of the Nepalese people,” said the deposed King.
This statement comes amid a rising demand for the restoration of the monarchy in Nepal and just a week before the right-wing, pro-monarchist party Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) took to the streets.
The Shah dynasty has long been revered by many in Nepal, with the monarch seen as an incarnation of the Hindu god Bishnu. However, after the monarchy was abolished, the royal lineage has remained largely symbolic, and now, the call for its reemergence is gaining momentum.
In his video, the former monarch noted that each new year begins with hope, but often ends in disappointment due to the current political instability. He warned that the nation remains trapped in corruption and unrest, a message he had also shared during his statement on Democracy Day (Falgun 7).
Shah further stressed the historical role of the monarchy in safeguarding nationalism and democracy, emphasizing the constitutional monarchy as a tradition rooted in public sentiment.
The former King also commented on the violent pro-monarchy protests on March 28, which resulted in two deaths and dozens of injuries. “It is a beautiful feature of democracy that various groups, classes, and communities in society can express their views, beliefs, and opinions. However, such expressions must be exercised with restraint. The recent violence, arson, and vandalism during public demonstrations, which caused significant human and material losses, have deeply saddened us. No system or ideology is greater than civic freedom. True democracy exists where there is a tradition and culture of listening to both praise and criticism, grievances and appreciation,” Shah stated.
The 77-year-old deposed monarch had initially ascended to the throne for the second time in 2001 after the royal massacre, in which his brother Birendra Bir Bikram Shah’s family was assassinated. In 2005, Gyanendra Shah staged a royal coup, taking full control of the country, dissolving the parliament, and placing political leaders under house arrest.
However, after facing international pressure, Gyanendra stepped down from the throne in 2006, reinstating the parliament. His decision followed the success of the “People’s Movement II,” which changed the political landscape of Nepal. During the movement, security forces suppressed protests, leading to the deaths of 18 people and injuries to over 4,000, mostly children, according to records from Human Rights Watch.
In 2008, Nepal officially abolished its centuries-old monarchy, becoming a republic and secular state. Less than two decades later, the country remains divided into two factions, with pro-monarchists advocating for a return to monarchy and anti-monarchists pushing for continued republicanism. (ANI)
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