Nepal is witnessing intense protests as pro-monarchy supporters demand the return of the king. This is the largest and most persistent movement in favour of the monarchy since 2008 when Nepal, the world's last Hindu kingdom, abolished the system. On Friday, violence and arson broke out in Kathmandu, leading to the deaths of three people and the arrest of hundreds. A surprising aspect of this agitation is the involvement of former Maoist guerrilla Durga Prasai, who is leading the movement. Ironically, it was the Maoists, allegedly supported by China, who had played a key role in forcing King Gyanendra Shah to step down.

The growing support for monarchy in Nepal is driven by the failure of political leaders to fulfill their promises and widespread corruption. Since the monarchy was abolished in 2008, Nepal has had 13 different governments in just 17 years. The monarchy ended following an insurgency and protest movement led by Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda. After more than 15 years, Prasai, a former Maoist, is leading a mass movement to restore the king as the constitutional head and bring Gyanendra back to the Narayanhiti Palace. On Friday, Prasai drove his car toward the Parliament House, breaking through police barriers. Currently on the run, Prasai, a medical entrepreneur, is being hunted by the police. However, he has clarified that he has not left the country and is presently at a temple in Kathmandu.

As the country increasingly calls for a return to its centuries-old Hindu monarchist roots, it is surprising that a former Maoist-turned-royalist, Prasai, is leading the movement. He has openly threatened to overthrow the Oli government, promising to restore the monarchy and reinstate Nepal as a Hindu Kingdom. Prasai is the same person whose photo hosting former Prime Ministers Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda and KP Sharma Oli for a meal at his home in 2017 went viral. He is believed to have played a key role in bringing together the warring Communist parties to form a Left alliance. Today, Prasai has risen above political affiliations and become a significant figure in Nepal’s political landscape at a crucial moment. In 2008, Nepal changed from a Hindu monarchy, which had existed for centuries, to a secular republic.

Nationwide pro-monarchy demonstrations have recently broken out, with participants brandishing national flags and shouting, "Come back, king, save the country!" When former King Gyanendra returned to Kathmandu in early March after two months of touring holy shrines, these slogans reverberated through a rally of four lakh people. Nepal was once the world’s last Hindu kingdom, but its monarchy was abolished after a ten-year civil war. This war was led by Maoist insurgents under Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda, who later became Prime Minister. With support from China, the Maoists carried out a violent campaign that resulted in over 16,000 deaths. The conflict finally ended in 2006 with the Comprehensive Peace Accord, which set the stage for the monarchy’s removal in 2008. Today, many people are frustrated with widespread corruption and economic struggles. As a result, there is growing support for the return of the monarchy, which was once seen as a symbol of stability and power, something Nepal has lacked since becoming a republic. 

Durga Prasai, who was once a close associate of Prachanda during Nepal's insurgency, has now become the leading face of the growing pro-monarchy movement. He has gained popularity across Nepal through his bold and fiery speeches, as well as his interviews on social media. Born into a farming family in Jhapa, Prasai faced financial struggles from a young age and studied only up to Class 8. His first business, buffalo farming, failed due to debt, which eventually led him into politics. Initially, he joined the Nepali Congress but later became involved with the underground CPN Maoists during their insurgency. This shift played a crucial role in shaping his political journey. During the war, Prasai supported the Maoists and even provided shelter to their fighters. After the conflict ended, he joined Prachanda’s Maoist Centre initially, and later aligned himself with the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) under KP Oli.

As a central committee member of the CPN-UML, Prasai held significant influence. However, his attempt to affiliate B&C Medical College was unsuccessful, leading to a fallout with Oli. In 2022, he was expelled from the UML after being denied an election ticket. Following this, he openly embraced anti-republic-establishment populism. Once a Maoist fighter, Prasai later became a controversial businessman. He argues that Nepal’s republican system has failed. Frustrated by corruption and economic stagnation, he distanced himself from both the party and the system, accusing political leaders of betraying the people. By February 2023, Prasai joined forces with former King Gyanendra Shah and started a campaign to bring back the monarchy and declare Nepal a Hindu state.

With his strong speeches, large rallies, and social media influence, he has become a key figure in the royalist movement. For the past two years, he has led street protests in support of the monarchy. However, he was previously arrested on corruption charges. In March 2025, the Joint People's Movement Committee named him "Public Commander," putting him ahead of traditional royalist leaders. His "Campaign to Protect the Nation, Nationalism, Religion, Culture, and Citizens" has mobilised tens of thousands of people, calling for Nepal to become a Hindu state again and the restoration of the monarchy. 

Prasai's stance on royalism has surprised his former allies. Recently, Prachanda warned in Parliament that the country's democratic achievements are at risk. Now, Prasai has also caught Oli's attention. After the chaos in Kathmandu on Friday, several of Prasai's supporters have been arrested, and he himself is now under police scrutiny. Until now, the pro-monarchy protests were mainly led by the Rastriya Prajatantra Party Nepal (RPPN), a right-wing conservative party led by Kamal Thapa. Two senior leaders of the RPPN were also arrested for allegedly inciting violence during Friday's protests. Although Prasai's movement is gaining momentum, it faces obstacles due to divisions among royalists and strong opposition from republicans. It remains uncertain whether Prasai, a former guerrilla, can change Nepal’s political course, but his campaign has undoubtedly revived a debate that many thought was settled.