Protests against Governments, for Kings, and for no Kings

Breakfast with Bwana

By Anil Madan

King Gyanendra, the deposed monarch of Nepal, in a 2008 interview said that the decision of the interim parliament to abolish the monarchy did not “reflect the majority view of the people. This isn’t a democracy.”  At the same time, he conceded that the people do have the right to choose the fate of the monarchy.

Recent press reports describing the latest protests in Kathmandu, the national capital, and through the country, as a spontaneous uprising of Gen Z Nepalese, may not be entirely accurate. There may be more to this than meets the eye… Pic – Travel and Tour World

In what seems to be a prescient observation made many years ago, Gyanendra questioned the ability of the interim government to govern the country and reverse the deteriorating law and order situation. He seemed heartened that a recent poll showed 49% of respondents favoured the continuation of the monarchy. The King, although agreeing to being deposed, claimed: “A majority of the people find great meaning in the institution of the monarchy. In all clouds, there is a silver lining. Let us hope.”

In a curious twist, one of the King’s advisers claimed that the parliament, which declared a republic, had been instated by the King himself and therefore had no authority to dethrone him.

Four years later, the former King declared that he would return as King. In February 2023, he attended a rally calling for the transformation of Nepal to a Hindu kingdom. Again, in February this year, he released a video urging people to support him for unity, peace, and development. Crowds gathered chanting “Raja aau, Desh bachau,” (King come, Save the nation).

Uprising of Gen Z?

Given this background, recent press reports describing the latest protests in Kathmandu, the national capital, and through the country, as a spontaneous uprising of Gen Z Nepalese, may not be entirely accurate. There may be more to this than meets the eye, perhaps a royal hand behind the movement.

Seventeen years after Gyanendra abdicated—or was dethroned—in these most recent protests, at least 19 were left dead as protesters clashed with police. So, what provoked the protests? Apparently, it was a sweeping social media ban ordered by the government. And, of course, austerity measures by the government. The ban was short-lived as the protests forced the government to rethink its position.

On Monday, this week, demonstrators tried to break into the country’s parliament. Police were unable to control the protesters and Nepal’s army was called onto the streets surrounding the Parliament to restore order and enforce a curfew.

Nepal’s Prime Minister Oli who has since resigned, declared that he was heartbroken by deaths of citizens but claimed that his government had sought to regulate social media “in accordance with the law and the court’s order” referring to the Supreme Court of Nepal’s edict requiring social media outlets to comply with registration laws and to set up grievance procedures.  Nepal’s home minister, as well, had resigned earlier apparently accepting moral responsibility for the tragic situation.

Some protesters and the media have described the protest as a “Gen Z” protest against the social media ban and against corruption in the government. But there were also calls for a restoration of the monarchy. That hardly seems like a Gen Z clarion call.

Protests against corruption and the inability of government to deliver for the people are not confined to Nepal or Gen Z. Nepal is just the latest country to see such protests. In 2022, the government in Sri Lanka, and in 2024 the government of Bangladesh were toppled. Both those governments had a dynastic, if not royal, element.

Whereas the government couched its social media ban as one to protect the country, it was clearly a revenue raising effort. “They come and do business in our country, take away billions of rupees and yet say ‘why should we register in your country,’” Nepal’s Information Minister, Gurung, said.

Last month, the Nepali government directed social media companies to comply with new registration rules within a week or face a ban. Among justifications voiced for the new approach were that they were designed to protect the reputation of the country and as well, combat hate speech and misinformation.

Meanwhile, there has been a growing protest movement, both online via social media, and in the streets, supporting the restoration and revival of the country’s monarchy.

Apparently, Hridayendra Shah, the grandson of Gyanendra, is an aspirant to succeed to the throne if the monarchy is restored.

“No Kings” rallies

In Indonesia, an apparently peaceful protest against Parliament members in late August spiraled into a violent riot between the police and military personnel when a 21-year-old delivery worker was run over and killed by an armoured vehicle of the paramilitary police. In the ensuing days, thousands have been arrested and at least seven deaths have been reported.

It is now a familiar refrain. Austerity measures announced by governments lead to public protests. An so it was in Indonesia. Protesters attacked public buildings and the homes of public officials, including the Finance minister, were looted and burned. More violent clashes between police and protesters were reported.

Austerity measures and spending cuts are not limited to Asian countries such as Nepal, Indonesia, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. France is the latest western country to see protests on that score. Protesters across the country blocked highways, set up barricades and burned then, and clashed with police as President Macron’s government announced spending cuts. Prime Minister Bayrou resigned after losing a confidence vote and Macron has appointed yet another prime minister in the person of Sébastien Lecornu.

Meanwhile more than 80,000 security personnel were deployed across France in a show of force to remove barricades. The police sprayed water cannons on protesters.

Almost 300 people were arrested as protesters announced that they would “Block Everything.”

In the US, protesters show no desire for a king. Back in June, on President Trump’s birthday, when he held a massive military parade ostensibly to mark the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States Army, protesters staged “No Kings” rallies across the county. Now, the organizers of that movement have announced another major No Kings protest.

The group hopes to avoid the violence that has marked protests in other countries and states prominently on its website: ‘A core principle behind all No Kings events is a commitment to nonviolent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation.’

The group plans a major NO KINGS protest on October 18:

‘No Thrones. No Crowns. No Kings.
‘On October 18, millions of us are rising again to show the world: America has no kings, and the power belongs to the people.’

 Cheerz…
Bwana

Mauritius Times ePaper Friday 12 September 2025