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<html><body><div><p><em>Brabim Karki is a businessman based in Nepal. </em></p><p>Thousands of supporters greeted Nepal's deposed king in Kathmandu last month to demand the reinstatement of his abolished monarchy and Hinduism as the state religion.</p><p>Chants of "Come back King, save the country" and "Vacate the royal palace for the king" echoed through the streets of the capital. Since Nepal abolished its 240-year-old monarchy in 2008, the increasing number of public participants at marches calling for the reinstatement of former King Gyanendra Shah has put republican forces in a fix. Many people are fed up with a string of corrupt regimes, political unrest and economic hardships.</p><p>When the former king returned from a recent trip to western Nepal, an estimated 10,000 royalists blocked the main gate to Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport. People were forced to walk to and from the airport as a result of the protest's disruption of airport operations. The demonstrators were stopped from entering the premises by hundreds of riot police. This turn toward monarchy in the Himalayan nation represents deep frustration and a desperate cry for stability in a country fractured by the failures of its republican system.</p><p>People are frustrated with rampant corruption and economic gloom. Nepal has had 13 different governments in 16 years. There's been a new prime minister almost every year as successive coalition governments have given rise to instability.</p><p>Making and breaking political coalitions for power has become normal in Nepalese politics. The nation's young people bear the cost of volatility as they search for steady employment. Many Nepali youths have left the nation due to political infighting, unmet promises and a lack of opportunities. According to research, an estimated 1.6 million Nepalese departed the nation in 2023 in pursuit of employment prospects.</p>        
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                        A protester demands the restoration of Nepal's monarchy in Kathmandu on March 28.



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<p>Once viewed as liberators, political parties have become vehicles for personal gain and power grabs, enmeshed in scandals and internal strife. Inflation and unemployment plague the economy, which is mostly dependent on migrant worker remittances, and bureaucratic sluggishness is impeding infrastructure projects. Transparency International ranked Nepal 107th out of 180 countries and territories in its 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index. Corruption is pervasive in business and government operations, as well as in court rulings.</p><p>Nepal is still among the poorest nations in South Asia, despite its abundance of natural resources and advantageous location between China and India. The growing demand for a Hindu monarchy in Nepal has also been spurred by the country's economic difficulties and political parties' inability to fulfill their pledges in the face of extreme poverty.</p><p>The monarchy is a representation of national pride and solidarity as well as a bygone era of stability for many Nepalis. The Shah dynasty ruled Nepal for 240 years. Many people consider former King Prithvi Narayan Shah as the founder of modern-day Nepal since he united the region's fragmented kingdoms to form the Kingdom of Nepal in 1768. The monarchy itself is still a potent symbol of tradition and continuity, despite the fact that its latter years were marred by scandal, such as the royal massacre in 2001 and King Gyanendra's brief period of authoritarianism in the early 2000s that forced him to cede power to a multiparty government and ultimately resulted in the abolition of the monarchy.</p><p>There is a slim chance of Gyanendra returning back to the throne any time soon. Gyanendra himself has been evasive about his plans, issuing vague statements about serving the nation if called upon. The republic is constitutionally enshrined, and major political parties remain opposed to bringing back the monarchy. People in Nepal are demanding leaders who can put an end to the widespread corruption and bring about justice, stability and progress.</p><p>The leaders of Nepal should take note of the growing discontent and frustration with the current situation of the nation. The political parties in Nepal must undergo transformation before it's too late. They must put the demands of Nepali people ahead of their own and endeavor to create an open, responsible and responsive system. The demands for change, whether for a monarchy or anything else, will only amplify if they don't deal with the underlying causes of public frustration. Reform must happen now, before it's too late.</p>
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