Kathmandu, Nepal (AP) – Thousands of supporters welcomed Former King of Nepal It revived Kathmandu and his abolished monarchy on Sunday in the capital Kathmandu, demanding that Hinduism be brought back as the religion of the nation.
An estimated 10,000 supporters of Gyanendra Shah blocked the front door of Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu when they arrived from a tour of western Nepal.
“Free the palace for the king. Return to the king and save the country. Live our beloved king for a long time. We want a monarchy,” the crowd chanted. Passengers were forced to enter and exit the airport.
Hundreds of riot police stopped protesters from entering the airport, and there was no violence.
A massive street protest in 2006 forced Gyanendra to abandon his authoritarian rule, and two years later, the Parliament voted to abolish the monarchy as the Parliament left the palace to live a normal life.
However, many Nepalis say they are unhappy with the republic, failing to bring about political stability and denounce the struggled economy and widespread corruption. Nepal has 13 governments since the abolition of the monarchy in 2008.
Rally participants said they hope that changes in the political system will stop the country from getting worse.
“We are here to give the king our full support and gather behind him and revive him on the royal throne,” said 72-year-old Thiel Bahadur Bhandari.
Among the thousands was Kurraj Shrestha, a 50-year-old carpenter who took part in the 2006 protest against the king, but changed his mind and now supported the monarchy.
“The worst thing that’s happening in the country is massive corruption, and all politicians in power are doing nothing for the country,” Schresta said. “I was in a protest that took the monarchy in hopes it would help the country, but I was wrong and the nation plunged further, so I changed my mind.”
Gyanendra has not commented on the monarchy’s call for return. in spite of Increased support for the former king, Gyanendra could soon return to power.
He became king in 2002 after his brothers and family were massacred in the palace. He ruled until 2005, when he took absolute power, as a constitutional head of state without executive or political power. He dissolved the government and Congress, imprisoned politicians and journalists, cut off communication, declared emergency situations, and used the Army to control the country.
