Former Nepal King Gyanendra Shah’s rally in Kathmandu saw massive public support amid dissatisfaction with the K P Sharma Oli government. A poster of UP CM Yogi Adityanath at the event sparked controversy.

Historical Ties Between Nepal’s Monarchy and the Gorakhnath Mutt

• Presiding Deity: The Shah dynasty considers Gorakhnath as its presiding deity. Gyanendra’s connection with the Gorakhnath mutt is deep-rooted, with Nepal’s former kings traditionally seeking blessings from the sect.
• Ideological Ties: Yogi Adityanath, as the head of Gorakhnath mutt, shares ideological ties with Nepal’s royal lineage.

India-Nepal Relations

• Political Shift: The UPA government (2004-2014) played a crucial role in Nepal’s transition from a monarchy to a republic. Adityanath opposed the monarchy’s removal, a stance he still maintains.
• Anti-India Sentiments: Many Nepalese view India’s involvement as meddling in their politics. Gyanendra’s rally slogans demanded the return of monarchy, with chants like “King must come, save the country.”
• Recent Engagement: Gyanendra met Adityanath in Lucknow and Gorakhpur before his call for national reconciliation. His aides insist the meeting was religious, not political.

Background of Nepal Monarchy

King Birendra’s Reign (1972–2001)

• Ascension : King Birendra became Nepal’s monarch in 1972 after the death of his father, King Mahendra.
• Royal Massacre (2001): On June 1, 2001, King Birendra, Queen Aishwarya, and most of the royal family were assassinated inside the Narayanhiti Palace under mysterious circumstances.

King Dipendra’s Brief Reign (June 1–4, 2001)

• Accused of the Massacre: Crown Prince Dipendra was declared the perpetrator of the royal massacre, allegedly due to conflicts over his marriage choice.
• Unconscious Monarch: Despite being in a coma after allegedly shooting himself, Dipendra was declared king as per royal traditions.
• Death and Succession: He succumbed to his injuries on June 4, 2001, leading to the coronation of his uncle, Gyanendra.

King Gyanendra’s Reign (2001–2008)

• Rise to Power: After Dipendra’s death, Gyanendra, King Birendra’s younger brother, was crowned Nepal’s king.
• Authoritarian Rule: In 2005, citing political instability and Maoist insurgency, he dismissed the government and assumed absolute power.
• People’s Movement (2006): Widespread protests under the People’s Movement II (Jana Andolan II), led by democratic parties and Maoists, forced Gyanendra to reinstate the dissolved Parliament.
• End of Monarchy: In 2007, Nepal was declared a federal democratic republic. On May 28, 2008, the monarchy was officially abolished by the Constituent Assembly, ending 240 years of Shah dynasty rule.

Conclusion

Nepal’s monarchy, deeply tied to the Gorakhnath Mutt, ended in 2008 after mass protests against King Gyanendra’s authoritarian rule. Growing nostalgia for the monarchy reflects public dissatisfaction with Nepal’s political leadership.

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