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Nepal's Former King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Gets Grand Welcome Upon Return To Kathmandu

Former Nepali King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah greets his supporters as he exits Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal, on February 13, 2026, after returning to the capital from his tour of the Southern plains of Nepal. Hundreds of pro-monarchists converge in the streets of Kathmandu to welcome former King Gyanendra Shah as a show of power ahead of the parliamentary elections. The former King is welcomed by supporters from the right-wing Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) and pro-monarchy organizations who chant slogans against the existing political system. Former King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah returns to Kathmandu from Jhapa in a helicopter. He starts his tour of Madhesh from Janakpur. As the vehicle hosting the former King rolls out of the airport entrance, supporters chant slogans such as ''Raja aau desh bachau'' (Come back King, save the nation) and ''Nepali Janata k bhancha? Rajtantra ley vancha'' (What do the Nepali public say? Reinstate the monarchy). In 2006, Nepal abolishes the centuries-old constitutional monarchy after then King Gyanendra seizes power and imposes an emergency, placing all leaders under house arrest. The movement, also referred to as ''People's Movement II,'' witnesses bloodshed with dozens killed in a crackdown against protestors by the government. After weeks of violent protest and increasing international pressure, Gyanendra gives up and reinstates the dissolved parliament, marking the dawn of new democracy, highlighted as Loktantra (People's Rule). Nepal's periodic election, which is not due until 2027, is called early after the Gen-Z revolution of 2025 following the dissolution of the parliament. The September 8 and 9 revolt deposes then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. A total of 76 people die in the crackdown by security forces. The two-day protest, commonly referred to as the ''Gen-Z uprising,'' is against corruption and the social media ban and changes the course of Nepali politics (Photo by Subaas Shrest/NurPhoto).

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