Nepal: Popular Uprising for Monarchy amid anti-China Sentiments
Former Nepal King Gyandendra Shah during his roadshow in Kathmandu on March 9 (Image credit X.com)
Global Lens on Nepal over pro-Monarchy Show of Strength
By Manish Anand
New Delhi, March 18: Pro-monarchy show of strength in Kathmandu is inviting close global scrutiny on Nepal. After the monarchy was abolished in 2008, Gyanendra Shah is showing street support in Kathmandu.
Shah on March 9 returned to Kathmandu from his resort in Pokhara to a rousing reception. Nepalese media is quoting international outlets to gauge the strength of the people’s turnout at the Tribhuvan International Airport.
Amid the ongoing discourse on popular support for the return of monarchy, geopolitical analysts strike a bottom line that there is a major disappointment among the people against the political parties. Fractured mandates threw political instability in Nepal in the last 17 years of democracy.
Also, the excessive interference of the Chinese embassy in all walks of life in Nepal is also being blamed for the rise in support for monarchy. The Chinese ambassador in the last 17 years has been seen as a major factor in the Nepalese democracy.
Nepal FM’s India visit marks shifting sands in bilateral relations
Mitra Pariyar opined in The Kathmandu Post that caste conflicts is at the core of the growing support for monarchy in Nepal. “During the monarchy, there was a balance of power between the two castes — Thakuri/Chhetri, who were in charge of the state’s political power, including the military, whereas the Bahun was in control of the religious affairs,” wrote Pariyar.
The analyst further stated that “the Chhetris, in general, and the Thakuris, in particular, felt betrayed” after monarchy was abolished. “They felt let down because now the Bahuns have established themselves firmly in state power, including the military,” added Pariyar.
But the fact that fractured polity with Communists in Nepal often flying to Beijing for consultations is also being spotlighted. Corruption is now a buzzword for Nepal democracy.
Nepal is allowing China to undertake major infrastructure projects. China built Pokhara International Airport has become a major cause of debt for Nepal. At the same time, China’s restrictions on trade through borders during the outbreak of Coronavirus and afterwards hurt the Nepalese economy.
With Donald Trump now at the helm of the US, the aide to Nepal also has come to trickles. The rising unemployment and lack of amenities for the people are also seen as reasons for emergence of pro-monarch sentiments in Nepal.
But Nepal is a highly religious society, argue analysts. They assert that the mainstream political domination of Communists and religious social fabrics strike discordant notes in Nepal.
Besides, the major rise of Hindutva in the Indian politics may also be blowing the saffron winds in Nepal. Analysts refer to millions of Nepalese taking holy dips in the just concluded Mahakumbh in Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh.
Join the WhatsApp Channel of The Raisina Hills
Follow on Google News https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMNK2vwsw39HWAw?hl=en-IN&gl=IN&ceid=IN%3Aen
About The Author
