On Thursday, thousands of demonstrators in Nepal's capital, Kathmandu, urged the return of the monarchy to the Himalayan nation after it had been abolished in 2008. 

Nepal has been a republic with a president since the end of the monarchy, but some citizens are calling for restoring the king and making Hinduism the state religion amid dissatisfaction with recent elected governments.  

'We love our king more than our lives'

Gyanedra Shah, the wealthy former king who still lives in Kathmandu, is 77 years old. The monarchy had lasted 239 years in Nepal before Shah's ouster.

"Bring the king back to the throne and save the country. We love our king more than our lives," protesters chanted. 

The protesters are not only frustrated with Nepal's political class, but also the country's economic condition.

Many Nepalis leave for better employment opportunities abroad in such countries as the United Arab Emirates, South Korea and Malaysia and send the money back home in remittances.  

Monarchy unlikely to return 

There was also a rally backing Nepal's current status as a republic and Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli in Kathmandu mere meters away from the pro-monarchy demonstration.

Hundreds of riot police were deployed to keep the pro-monarchy and pro-republic groups divided in the Nepali capital. A similar pro-monarchy demonstration in March led to the deaths of several people.        

Although some Nepalis want the monarchy to return, the country's three major political parties, which control the vast majority of seats in Parliament, are against the idea.

In addition, the pro-monarchy Rastriya Prajatantra Party only holds 13 seats in the 275-member Parliament, meaning that it has little influence on the country's political trajectory. 

Edited by: Zac Crellin