By P.R. Pradhan
Since the People’s Movement of 1990, Nepal has increasingly turned into an experimental laboratory for foreign powers. Until 1990, Nepal had an active monarchy. However, when India sought to bring Nepal under its security umbrella and the then king Birendra bluntly rejected the proposal, the so-called People’s Movement gained momentum. We believe, the movement was largely sponsored by India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and the South Block establishment.
Nepal subsequently embraced multiparty democracy, but India’s strategic interests were still not fully served. Then, in February 1996, India again played a major role in supporting the bloody Maoist insurgency in Nepal by providing military training to Maoist militants and offering safe shelter to senior leaders directing the insurgency from Delhi and Gurgaon. During the decade-long bloody insurgency, Maoist leaders Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Baburam Bhattarai, among others, spent several years in safe shelter in and around the Indian capital.
Eventually, an India- and Western-oriented lobby succeeded in bringing the Maoists and the seven parliamentary parties together under the 12-point agreement, popularly known as the New Delhi Agreement. Although it was claimed as a peaceful political movement, the alliance launched a violent, Kathmandu-centric uprising in April 2006. The then King Gyanendra, seeking to prevent further bloodshed, handed over executive power to Girija Prasad Koirala, the leader of the political alliance.
Through what we regard as a political conspiracy, Nepal was subsequently declared a secular, federal republic, leading to what we consider an unprecedented level of foreign interference in the country. The apparent objective of foreign actors was to weaken governance by undermining the country’s institutions. Nepal’s corrupt political leaders, meanwhile, became increasingly obedient to foreign interests.
Yet foreign intervention did not end there. More recently, Nepal witnessed the Gen-Z uprising of September 8–9, 2025. The movement ultimately paved the way for former chief justice Sushila Karki to become prime minister, even amid serious constitutional controversy. Acting under the mandate she was given, Karki conducted general elections in March 2026. The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) emerged as the largest political force, securing nearly a two-thirds majority, and Balendra Shah became the new prime minister.
Four months after Shah assumed office, however, there are growing concerns about the proper practice of democratic norms. We are now witnessing a serious dispute between RSP chairman Rabi Lamichhane and senior party leader and Prime Minister Shah.
The priorities of the RSP and Prime Minister Shah remain unclear. We believe that disagreements may have emerged among foreign actors over how the government should be influenced and directed.
When the RSP was established, the party had clearly stated that Nepal did not need such a large number of provinces. Balendra Shah also appeared to hold a similar position. He did not vote for candidates contesting provincial assembly elections. Similarly, the RSP did not field candidates for provincial assembly positions and local government posts. This suggested that the party was not in favor of the existing provincial structure.
Now, however, Prime Minister Shah says that he is neither in favor of restoring the monarchy nor opposed to the federal structure. We are convinced that, since foreign powers became active in protecting federalism, secularism, and republicanism, both Shah and Lamichhane have changed their positions.
Earlier, we believed that Balen and Rabi, by replacing the old political parties, would serve the nation and its people. However, they now appear to be following the same path as the outdated and corrupt leaders of the traditional political parties.
Our hopes have therefore diminished. At the same time, because of divisions and factionalism among patriotic forces, the agenda of restoring Nepal’s traditional civilization appears to have been pushed to the margins.
A group of citizens has launched a signature campaign to exert moral pressure on political groups to restore the institution of monarchy. This is a peaceful democratic process. However, we believe that all patriotic forces should build a strong common front and launch a decisive but peaceful political movement against what they perceive as foreign interference, while advocating the restoration and preservation of Nepal’s Sanatan values, national identity, and civilization.
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