Dr. Vidhu Prakash Kayastha
Nepal’s history is marked by significant protests that have shaped its governance. The 1951 revolution ended the autocratic Rana regime, establishing democracy under King Tribhuvan’s rule, though it was later undermined by royal interventions. The 1990 People’s Movement, known as Jana Andolan I, forced King Birendra to accept constitutional reforms, transitioning to a constitutional monarchy with multiparty democracy. These movements highlight a pattern of public action against autocratic rule, contrasting with the current pro-monarchy sentiment.
Overview of the 2006 April Uprising
The March-April uprising in Nepal, likely referring to the 2006 April Uprising, also known as Jana Andolan II, was a pivotal pro-democracy movement. In February 2005, King Gyanendra assumed direct rule, dismissing the government and declaring a state of emergency, which sparked widespread unrest. From April 4 to 24, 2006, the Seven Party Alliance (SPA), supported by Maoists and civil society, organized mass demonstrations and strikes, with hundreds of thousands participating. The protests faced violent responses from security forces, resulting in 25 deaths and numerous injuries. On April 24, 2006, King Gyanendra reinstated the House of Representatives, and the SPA formed a government led by Girija Prasad Koirala. This movement significantly reduced the king’s powers, leading to Nepal’s declaration as a secular state and the eventual abolition of the monarchy in 2008, establishing a federal democratic republic.
Current Protests in 2025: Pro-Monarchy Movement
In 2025, Nepal is witnessing a resurgence of pro-monarchy protests, driven by frustration with the federal republic’s instability—13 governments in 17 years since 2008—and economic challenges. On March 9, 2025, thousands welcomed former King Gyanendra Shah at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, demanding the restoration of the monarchy and a Hindu state. The protests escalated on March 28, 2025, with a rally turning violent, resulting in two deaths (one protester and one journalist) and over 110 injuries, leading to arrests and a curfew.
Nepal’s Uprisings and Protests
Nepal’s political history is characterized by a series of significant uprisings and protests that have shaped its governance, with the March-April uprising likely referring to the 2006 April Uprising, and current 2025 pro-monarchy protests reflecting ongoing discontent. This note provides a comprehensive analysis, integrating historical context, detailed events, and contemporary developments, ensuring a thorough understanding for researchers and policymakers.
The 2006 April Uprising
The 2006 April Uprising, also known as Jana Andolan II, was a critical pro-democracy movement against King Gyanendra’s direct rule, initiated in February 2005 when he dismissed the government and declared a state of emergency to suppress the Maoist insurgency. This action was met with domestic and international condemnation, leading to widespread unrest. The movement, spanning April 4 to 24, 2006, was led by the Seven Party Alliance (SPA), with support from Maoists and civil society, organizing mass demonstrations and general strikes. Estimates suggest hundreds of thousands participated, with protests intensifying across Nepal, particularly in Kathmandu. Security forces responded with violence, resulting in 25 deaths and numerous injuries, as documented in historical records.
Key events included the SPA’s call for action on April 4, with protests growing daily, culminating in King Gyanendra’s televised address on April 24, 2006, reinstating the House of Representatives, which had been dissolved in 2002. The SPA formed a new government led by Girija Prasad Koirala, and on May 18, 2006, parliament passed a resolution stripping the king of powers, including placing 90,000 troops under parliamentary control, imposing taxes on the royal family, ending the Raj Parishad, eliminating royal references from titles, declaring Nepal secular, and scrapping the national anthem until a new one was composed. This was described as a Nepalese Magna Carta, with May 18 named Loktantrik Day by some, setting the stage for the 2008 abolition of the monarchy and the establishment of a federal democratic republic.
Historical Context: Major Past Protests
To contextualize the 2006 uprising, Nepal’s history includes several pivotal protests. The 1951 revolution, led by the Nepali Congress and supported by King Tribhuvan, ended the autocratic Rana regime, which had ruled for over a century, establishing democracy under the monarchy. This movement, culminating in a tripartite agreement signed in Delhi, saw King Tribhuvan return as head of state on February 18, 1951, though subsequent royal interventions, such as King Mahendra’s dissolution of parliament in 1960, limited its impact.
The 1990 People’s Movement (Jana Andolan I) was another landmark, forcing King Birendra to accept constitutional reforms, transitioning to a constitutional monarchy with multiparty democracy. This movement, driven by a coalition of political parties, highlighted the power of mass mobilization, with protests leading to the 1990 constitution, which was a precursor to the 2006 uprising’s demands for democracy. Other notable protests include the Madhesi movement for regional rights and anti-India protests in 2015 over fuel rationing, reflecting ongoing social and geopolitical tensions.
Current Protests in 2025: Pro-Monarchy Movement
In 2025, Nepal is experiencing a resurgence of pro-monarchy protests, driven by dissatisfaction with the federal republic established post-2008. Since the monarchy’s abolition, Nepal has seen 13 government formations in 17 years, indicative of significant political instability, compounded by corruption, economic stagnation, and unfulfilled promises. These protests, advocating for the restoration of the Hindu monarchy with former King Gyanendra Shah, began notably on March 9, 2025, in Kathmandu, with thousands demonstrating at Tribhuvan International Airport, welcoming Gyanendra back from a tour, with estimates claiming 400,000 supporters, though police reports suggest around 10,000.
The movement escalated on March 28, 2025, with a rally at Tinkune, organized by the Joint People’s Movement Committee, led by Nabaraj Subedi, demanding the 1991 constitution’s acceptance or amendments for a constitutional monarchy, multi-party democracy, and Hindu nation recognition, giving the government one week to comply. This rally turned violent, with protesters clashing with police, resulting in two deaths—one protester and one journalist from Avenues Television—and over 110 injuries, with 110+ arrested. The violence included attacks on offices of Kantipur TV, Annapurna Post, and CPN-Unified Socialist Party, with 14 houses, several vehicles torched, and Bhatbhateni Supermarket looted. Security forces deployed over 5,000 personnel, using tear gas, blank rounds, and water cannons, leading to a curfew imposed at 4:25 pm, lifted the next day at 7 am, with the Nepalese Army enforcing it.
Post-March 28, the Kathmandu district banned gatherings over five persons for two months, and political responses included CPN (Maoist Centre) suspending campaigns, with K P Sharma Oli and Sher Bahadur Deuba criticizing the movement, challenging Gyanendra to elections. Consequences included reducing Gyanendra’s security from 25 to 16 personnel, fining him Rs793,000 for environmental damage, initiating passport revocation, and affecting tourism, with western tourists adopting a ‘wait & watch’ mode, and Bihar, India, increasing border security.
Connections and Reflections
The 2006 uprising aimed to end monarchical rule, contrasting sharply with the 2025 pro-monarchy protests, which seek its restoration. This shift reflects ongoing political volatility, with historical movements like 1951 and 1990 showing a trajectory toward democracy, while current unrest highlights challenges in achieving stability. The cyclical nature of protests underscores Nepal’s struggle to balance governance and public expectations, with future developments likely influenced by these tensions.
The 2006 April Uprising aimed to end monarchical rule, driven by a broad coalition seeking democracy, contrasting with the 2025 pro-monarchy protests, which seek its restoration, reflecting frustration with the republic’s instability. Historical movements like 1951 and 1990 show a trajectory toward democracy, while current unrest underscores challenges in achieving stability, with cyclical protests indicating ongoing governance struggles. Future developments may hinge on addressing economic and political issues, potentially influencing Nepal’s path toward a stable, inclusive system
