Celebrations in Kathmandu for Republic Day (28 May) were disrupted by pro-monarchy demonstrations, the latest in a series of protests that have rocked Nepal since early March.

Republic Day marks the abolition of the monarchy 17 years ago, on 28 May 2008. This followed the shocking royal massacre in 2001, in which King Birendra Shah and several members of the royal family were killed by Crown Prince Dipendra. Gyanendra Shah, the younger brother of Birendra, was king until the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal was declared in 2008.

In early March, tens of thousands of people took to the streets to welcome the former king at Kathmandu airport. On 28 March, huge protests in favour of the monarchy turned violent, with people setting vehicles, buildings and roads on fire. Some threw stones at police and journalists.

Growing frustration among citizens coupled with a pro-monarchy movement have put democracy into the spotlight. According to the RPP (Rastriya Prajatantra Party), a conservative Hindu nationalist party, the return of the king would save the country.

Many people want the monarchy to be restored because of the government’s poor delivery or choices, growing crises, higher unemployment, lack of health and educational facilities. Teachers have also begun protesting for the enactment of the School Education Act and adequate wages, along with doctors and journalists. Almost 65,000 Nepali youth leave the country every month to work abroad.

What do Nepalis think?

Harbingers’ Magazine interviewed several people in Nepal to know whether they preferred a monarchy or democracy. The majority of them expressed mixed opinions, with the majority favouring democracy.

Krishna Manandhar, 26, from Kathmandu, said he prefers a monarchy because it represents historical and cultural heritage.

Abhishek Rai, 23, is from Solukhumbu in east Nepal, but lives in Kathmandu. He says: “Honestly? I’m torn. Democracy was supposed to give us development and dignity, but it feels like it only gave us corruption. Sometimes, I think maybe the monarchy wasn’t so bad. I relate more to the monarchy supporters than I expected. That’s scary to admit. Everyone’s just exhausted and fed up. We need change, whichever form it takes.”

According to Prashant Dulal, 24, he said that he felt very bad about the monarchy protests because they took lives and destroyed many houses and properties.

“The current policies and plans don’t support that, but in democracy, the opportunities are available to all the people equally.”

Similarly, 18-year-old student Rekh Man Ghale says, “Monarchy? Never again. That system suppressed voices like mine. But this democracy is hollow – look at how teachers are treated, how youth are unemployed. People feel voiceless, even in a system built on ‘the people’s voice’. The protests are valid, but we need a people’s movement to fix democracy, not leave it.”

Another student, Renu Sunam, told Harbingers’: “Democracy – we’re too young as a [democractic] country to give up on it. Just because the leaders failed doesn’t mean the system did.”

I also asked teachers from my school, who recently participated in some of the protests. Paru Tamang, who teaches health, computing and general knowledge, said: “I will choose democracy always. But this version of democracy, with greed and nepotism, it’s heartbreaking. We fought for change and got chaos.”

Tamang added that she is not just protesting about salaries, “It’s about dignity. We teach about democracy in class, but live in a system where teachers have no voice. The monarchy crowd is loud because democracy hasn’t delivered.”

Gyani Shah, an English teacher, said, “I lived through the monarchy days and saw its control. Democracy has problems, but I’d still choose it. At least we can demand change. And those supporting the monarchy – they’re not just royalists. They’re citizens who feel ignored.”