Nepal faces political unrest, rising pro-monarchy protests, and clashes over social media bans, with attacks on Pashupatinath Temple and ISI-linked espionage adding to tensions. A nation at crossroads.
- Nepal says 25 people died from protests, 633 injured
- Kathmandu calm as soldiers take control of security
- City airport opens more than 24 hours after it was shut
- Prohibitory orders nationwide to stay until Thursday
- Relevant groups coordinating to tackle situation, army says
Nepal abolished its monarchy in 2008 and became a federal democratic republic. The former king, Gyanendra Shah, now lives as a private citizen in Kathmandu—no throne, just a cottage in the hills.Reuterswww.ndtv.com
Lately, pockets of pro-monarchy sentiment have resurfaced. In early 2025, Gyanendra’s February video rekindled hopes among royalists. His words—you could almost call it coded nostalgia for stability—unleashed protest marches, hacking of government sites, and calls for a constitutional monarchy with a Hindu identity.9dashline.comWikipediaAP NewsThe Times
Despite these visible stirrings, Nepal’s constitution firmly anchors republicanism. Political heavyweights and mainstream parties show no appetite for restoring the king. Analysts see pro-monarchy momentum more as a populist sigh than a shift in governance.The Times of IndiaAP NewsThe Times
Pro-Monarchy Protests: A Spark in the Storm
Throughout 2025, Kathmandu has seen repeated pro-monarchy rallies—some peaceful, others edged with violence. In March, two people died amid clashes; hundreds were arrested.ReutersThe GuardianWikipedia
But the streets soon boiled over for other reasons. A government attempt to ban over two dozen social media apps triggered Gen Z-led unrest—19 people were killed, and buildings, including parliament, were torched. Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned amid the chaos, and the ban was recalled.Reuters+1Financial TimesAP NewsThe Washington PostWall Street Journal
The protests revealed deep frustration—red flags around corruption, youth unemployment, and political inertia. Monarchy restoration became an undercurrent, even as the broader demand was for system-wide reform.IndiatimesAP NewsThe Times
Temple Turmoil: Pashupatinath Targeted
In the swirl of protests, one deeply sacred space was breached: Pashupati Nath Temple—Nepal’s most revered Hindu shrine. Reports confirm it was attacked during anti-government protests, prompting strong condemnation from figures like Bihar Minister Jibesh Mishra.Mangalorean.com
While elaborate details remain scarce, the act stands out as a jarring assault on religious and democratic values alike.
Spy Games or Smoke Screens? ISI in Nepal
Conspiracy theories don’t need fueling—but facts do demand attention. Here’s the intel:
- India’s agencies exposed an ISI-linked espionage network operating through Nepal, with a Nepali national arrested for funneling intelligence via non-traditional routes.www.ndtv.comThe Economic Times
- Further, intelligence circles warn of Nepal serving as a transit hub for ISI’s covert operations—fake currency smuggling, extremist networks, and spiritual infrastructure infiltration have been flagged.The Financial ExpressNews Arena India
To be clear: there’s no credible evidence suggesting Pakistan’s ISI is that wholesale “inhabiting Nepal under a CIA guise.” But Covert OPERATIONS are always Covert.
Final Thoughts
Nepal today is a mix of political turbulence, nostalgia for past certainties, and the sobering reality of regional manipulation. The monarchy is a cultural ember—not a certainty of dawn. Protests reflect fury at broken promises more than royal revival. Temples, symbols of peace, got caught in the crossfire. And external espionage activity, while real, is far from a full-blown takeover.
Human systems wobble when trust evaporates. Nepal’s asking whether it needs reform—or a return to a crown. The messiness of that moment is unfolding, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
