Pro-monarchy Bid Untimely Tune

Medical entrepreneur Durga Prasai's push for the restoration of monarchy and the establishment of Nepal as a Hindu state fizzled out. On November 23, around ten thousand pro-monarchy and Hindu activists joined Prasai's demonstration. Fearing that these protesters might become disruptive in the capital's main thoroughfares, the authorities imposed prohibitory measures to keep them in check. Prasain's supporters once threatened to march on the government secretariat, Singh Durbar. However, after the government took steps to bring the demonstration under control, Prasain and his colleagues were unable to achieve the intended objectives through the much-talked about rally.

Meanwhile, the youth wing of the main opposition party, the CPN-UML, held a gathering on the same day and time, aimed primarily at Prasai's protest. After members from both demonstrations got face-to-face, the youth wing, led by UML leader Mahesh Basnet, battled with Prasai supporters. Since the two have a long history of hatred, Basnet spent most of his time and energy attacking Prasai during his rally speech. Prasai, on the other hand, talked extensively about the leaders and the nation's deteriorating economic predicament, which he blamed on corruption and inaction on the part of our leaders.

Censure 

The government officials, particularly the District Administration Office, did an admirable job in preventing both Basnet and Prasai from holding their huge meetings in Maitighar Mandala on the same day. The decision to organise separate meetings in Tinkune and Balkhu, as well as the deployment of a sufficient number of security officers, enabled avoiding any untoward occurrences on the day. Bringing in so many protesters, however, is considered as a success for the medical entrepreneur, who ‘won many hearts’ for condemning leaders of major parties for economic hardships of the people and the condition of things, which has ‘turned the nation into the poorest in Asia’.

Despite Prasai heading a pro-monarchy protester, the ex-monarch seemed unimpressed by the Prasai-led march. Former King Gyanendra opted to visit Jhapa district on the day of the gathering in the capital, where he unveiled a statue of the late King Prithvi Narayan Shah at a college premises. He was joined by Rajendra Lingden, chairperson of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party, the party that seeks to restore monarchy and reconstruct the country as a Hindu state. Many people were surprised to see that RPP leaders and followers did not support the Prasai-led anti-republicanism march. This appears to be the one of the reasons why last week's demonstration did not yield the intended consequences for the well-known medical entrepreneur and his colleagues. If Prasai and the RPP had arranged the demonstration together, it may have resulted in different outcomes.

One of the most important aspects of Prasai's rally is that it has reignited the debate about whether the nation would witness the restoration of monarchy and if the nation will be a Hindu state constitutionally. Soon after the Prasai’s rally, the UML chair criticised pro-monarchists in a public programme, claiming that the country could not return to a royal system. People dethroned the monarch, he argued, because they no longer required someone who was born king and had ruled them as being a ruler by birth. Similarly, at a programme in Gulmi, the fiery Nepali Congress leader Gagan Thapa advised that the ex-king form his own political party and then win an election if he wanted to rule the nation. Both of these men claimed that democracy and republicanism were infallible. People in charge of these systems can make mistakes, but the entire system cannot be blamed on mistakes made by some individuals.

The statements of these two leaders reveal the fact that monarchy supporters will have a difficult time achieving their ambition of witnessing the restoration of kingship in the nation. Many people in the country accept the notion of reintroducing the monarch as a cultural king, which means he would solely be a patron of cultural components of our society and would not be a constitutional monarch. However, current leaders tend to be skeptical about this reasoning as well.

Meanwhile, the RPP, a pro-royalist party, has so far gathered insufficient national support. This reflected in its present position in the federal parliament and provincial legislatures. Because it lacks the requisite support to garner support for its cause of restoring constitutional kingship, it must turn to other parties in parliament, some of which are anti-monarchy communists. The Nepali Congress, a moderate party, is also opposed to the RPP demand, making the revival of royalty all the more difficult.

Lack of integrity

Other concerns have arisen that go against the idea. When it comes to restoring ex-King Gyanendra to his previous throne, major parties—CPN Maoist Centre, UML, Nepali Congress, and others—are enraged. Former King Gyanendra's track record has not gone over well with political parties, leaders, and supporters. Many people have been disappointed by his son, former Crown Prince Paras, and his public image. The talks of making Paras' son, Hridyendra, the baby king have died in their infancy. Overall, the main parties, which control the majority in parliament and dominate the popular narrative against royalty, are dead-set against Gyanendra and Paras being the country's constitutional monarchs. Given this circumstance, Prasai, the RPP, and ex-King Gyanendra would find it difficult to fulfil their ambition.

It is evident that the negativity surrounding the current republican system is primarily caused by some leaders' misconduct and lack of political integrity. It is crucial that we hold those in power accountable for any wrongdoings to protect the hard-won republicanism. To some pro monarchs, it may be tempting to change or even revert to a monarchy system but they must remember that the system was built on the principles of democratic values and justice. The idea of changing this system for the sake of old one because some individuals have made mistakes lacks reasoning and backing. This is the reason that makes the process of restoring monarchy all the more difficult. 

(Upadhyay is former managing editor of this daily.)