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A prominent citizens’ group in Nepal has issued a statement opposing moves to restore monarchy and undermine the country’s secular framework.
Men unload an effigy of Nepal’s former King Gyanendra with garlands from a vehicle outside the main gate of Shital Niwas during his birthday celebration in this file photo. (IMAGE: REUTERS)
The Brihat Nagarik Andolan (BNA), a loose coalition of Nepali civil society activists, on Thursday warned that any attempt to restore the monarchy and roll back secularism with the backing of the army would be “unacceptable”.
“The reality becoming clear now is that on the bodies of the martyrs of the Gen-Z movement, a conspiracy is being staged with the Army’s mediation and cooperation to restore monarchy and abolish secularism. This is completely unacceptable to us,” the group said in a statement, accessed by Nepali news outlet Khabarhub.
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The BNA emphasized that the mandate and sacrifice of the Gen-Z protests were meant to strengthen republicanism and secularism, not enable regression.
It also criticized what it called the Army’s “unconstitutional activism”, stressing that young demonstrators had not taken to the streets to empower the military.
The statement further condemned those accused of infiltrating the protests and causing damage to state and private property, warning that it was “frightening and unacceptable” that such groups were now negotiating under the Army’s protection.
Meanwhile, the Army has asked Gen Z leaders to decide on a clear face to lead the country through this turbulent phase.
The protesters themselves appear divided, with factions backing former chief justice Sushila Karki and Kathmandu mayor Balen Shah clashing outside the Army headquarters in Bhadrakali, in a sign of a widening split within the movement.
Gyanendra Shah, Nepal’s last king, was deposed in 2008 after parliament abolished the 240-year-old Hindu monarchy at the end of a decade-long Maoist insurgency.
Shah had taken the throne in 2001 after the palace massacre that killed his brother King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah and most of the royal family. Four years later, he suspended the constitution and dissolved parliament, sparking mass protests in which Maoists joined hands with mainstream political parties. The uprising forced Shah to step down, clearing the way for Nepal to become a secular republic under the 2015 Constitution, according to an AFP report.
For years, the former king kept a low profile. But in recent times he has appeared at public events and drawn support from sections disillusioned with the political establishment. In March, hundreds queued outside his residence to mark his 78th birthday, reflecting a steady resurgence of monarchist sentiment.
That mood has been amplified by political instability, corruption and economic stagnation, fuelling anger among younger Nepalis.
This week’s deadly protests led by Gen Z demonstrators began with outrage over a short-lived social media ban and corruption allegations. The unrest quickly escalated, leaving at least 34 dead, government offices and buildings torched, and over 13,500 prisoners escaping in the chaos.
About the Author
Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev…Read More
Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev… Read More
Kathmandu, Nepal
September 11, 2025, 16:45 IST
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