Protest movement presents a growing challenge in Nepal

Significance

The campaign is led by politician-turned-businessman Durga Prasai, who increasingly rails against Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal (‘Prachanda’). Prasai insists that it will continue until its goals are reached.

Impacts

• The campaign would gather substantial momentum if Nepal’s various pro-monarchy groups united behind it.
• Many people will be drawn to the movement because of worries about the economy and disillusionment over years of high-level corruption.
• An intensified clampdown on protesters would expose Kathmandu to heavy criticism from human rights organisations.