KATHMANDU: Former King Gyanendra Shah has expressed deep concern that Nepal itself may be at risk of survival, saying the country now faces a far more serious crisis than in the past.
In a video message released on the occasion of the 304th Prithvi Jayanti and National Unity Day, the former monarch said that while there was once worry about whether Nepal would be built, today there is growing fear about whether the country can even be saved.
Gyanendra said that nearly two decades after leaving Narayanhiti Royal Palace, the continuing political, economic and social crises facing the country have left him deeply worried.
He said Nepal cannot be built through speeches, magic or miracles, stressing that institutions that represent all castes, religions and regions, including the monarchy, must act with a sense of national responsibility.
“The monarchy served as the common representative of all Nepalis and cannot simply walk away from the responsibility entrusted to it by the people,” he said, calling on citizens to fulfill their national duty by following what he described as the ‘Prithvi Path’ — a reference to the unifying vision of Prithvi Narayan Shah.
In his message, Gyanendra said that the political parties that came to power promising peace, economic progress and stability nearly two decades ago had asked the monarchy to step aside, and that he had complied in good faith.
“Almost two decades ago, when parties said they would bring peace, economic development and stability, we handed over the crown, the people’s trust, to the people’s own institutions and stepped aside from governance with a cooperative intention,” he said.
The former king’s message comes at a time of growing political uncertainty and renewed debate over Nepal’s future political direction.
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