KATHMANDU: As royalist groups ramp up calls to restore the monarchy—with either Gyanendra Shah or his grandson Hridayendra Shah as king—a strong rebuttal has come from the World Hindu Federation Nepal.

In a sharply worded statement, the Federation’s National Committee declared that neither of the widely discussed royal figures meets the standards of virtue and dignity required for kingship.

“If the people desire a king in a Hindu nation, it should be someone clean, impartial, and popular,” said Dr. Ramchandra Adhikari, president of the Federation’s Nepal chapter. “The current names lack these qualities.”

The Federation’s remarks come ahead of a major rally on Jestha 15 (May 29), organized by monarchist forces like the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) and RPP Nepal. Their agenda: restore the monarchy and re-establish Nepal as a Hindu state.

“In principle, kingship isn’t banned in a Hindu state,” the Federation noted, “but it must come through popular mandate and must be held by a person of integrity—not just by inheritance.”

Meanwhile, RPP Nepal chair Kamal Thapa, speaking to editors in Kathmandu yesterday, floated Hridayendra Shah’s name as a youthful alternative to Gyanendra.

“If Gyanendra is too old, we should consider new options,” said Thapa, who served as a minister during the monarchy. “If there is national consensus, why not Hridayendra? He’s 20 or 21 now.”

Hridayendra, the son of former crown prince Paras Shah, has stayed largely out of public view in recent years, but is suddenly back in the conversation—though not without criticism.