Gyanendra of Nepal
| Gyanendra | |
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| Reign | 7 November 1950 – 8 January 1951 (0 years, 62 days) |
| Predecessor | Tribhuvan |
| Successor | Tribhuvan |
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| Reign | 4 June 2001 – 28 May 2008 (6 years, 359 days) |
| Predecessor | Dipendra |
| Successor | Monarchy abolished |
| Consort | Queen Komal of Nepal |
| Issue | |
| Paras, Crown Prince of Nepal Princess Prerana |
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| Full name | |
| Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev | |
| Dynasty | Shah dynasty |
| Father | Mahendra of Nepal |
| Mother | Crown Princess Indra |
| Born | 7 July 1947 Kathmandu, Nepal |
Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev (Nepali: ज्ञानेन्द्र वीर बिक्रम शाह; Jñānendra Vīra Bikrama Śāh) (born 7 July 1947) reigned as the final monarch of the Kingdom of Nepal. During his life, he has held the title of the King twice: first between 1950 and 1951 as a child when his grandfather Tribhuvan was forced into exile with the rest of his family in India; and from 2001 to 2008, following the Nepalese royal massacre.
Gyanendra's second reign ended in 2008, when the monarchy was dissolved and the Federal Republic of Nepal formed in its place. Gyanendra became a private citizen and was stripped of his royal titles and status. His reign is considered to have been a disaster for the monarchist cause in Nepal; in particular, his decision to impose direct rule caused the Maoist insurgency and the moderate democratic political parties to unite in opposition to his absolute rule, an alliance which under any other circumstances would have been extraordinarily unlikely.
In February 2005, King Gyanendra took complete control of the government, dismissing the elected parliament. Following opposition to his direct rule he was forced to return power to the parliament in April 2006, which in turn reduced the King's status to that of a ceremonial monarch. He continued as such until 28 May 2008 when he was peacefully deposed and Nepal became a federal republic. There have been some calls from parties loyal to the monarchy for a referendum to decide on the need for a monarchy after the constitutional crisis brought about the resignation of the Maoist-led government.[1]
Early life and first reign
Gyanendra was born in Kulekhani, Kathmandu, as the second son of Crown Prince Mahendra and his wife Crown Princess Indra. After his birth, his father was told by a court astrologer not to look at his newborn son because it would bring him bad luck, so Gyanendra was sent to live with his grandmother.[2]
In November 1950, during a political plot, both his father and his grandfather King Tribhuvan, along with other royals, fled to India, leaving the young Prince Gyanendra as the only male member of the royal family in Nepal. He was brought back to the capital Kathmandu by the Prime Minister Mohan Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana, who had him declared King on 7 November 1950. Gyanendra was not only crowned but coins were issued in his name. The Rana Prime Minister provided a three hundred thousand rupee annual budget as expenditure for the King.[2] After opposition to the hereditary rule of the Rana Prime Ministers from India, a deal was reached in January 1951, and his grandfather King Tribhuvan returned to Nepal and resumed the throne.[3] The actions of the Rana regime to depose his grandfather and place Gyanendra on the throne was not internationally recognized.[4]
He studied with his elder brother King Birendra in St. Joseph's College, Darjeeling, India; in 1969, he graduated from Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu.[5]
Prince Gyanendra served as the chairman of the Advisory Committee for the Coronation of his brother King Birendra in 1975. He is a keen conservationist and served as Chairman of the King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation from 1982 until his ascension to the throne in 2001.[6]
Gyanendra married Komal Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah on 1 May 1970 in Kathmandu. They have two children.
- Prince Parash Shah of Nepal (born 30 December 1971)
- Princess Prerana Malla of Nepal (born 20 February 1978).
Succession
The events surrounding the Royal Massacre on 1 June 2001 have proved very controversial in the country. Some people believe that his son, Paras along with 9 other armed people put the royal massacre into act. It is believed that the eye witnesses were either bribed or threatened to death. The chief doctor looking after the royal family was made a minister in Gyanendra's regime just months after the massacre. Some still believe that the then Prince Gyanendra was the mastermind behind the massacre, because all other royal family members were killed during the incident while Gyanendra's immediate family members were spared.[7] This theory is held among some sections of the population, mainly due to the fact that Gyanendra succeeded the massacred royals to the throne. A two-man investigation team appointed by Gyanendra, and made up of Keshav Prasad Upadhaya, then Supreme Court Chief Justice, and Taranath Ranabhat, then speaker of the House of Representatives, carried out a week-long investigation.[8] After interviewing more than 100 people—including eyewitnesses, palace officials, guards, and staff, they concluded that, indeed, Crown Prince Dipendra had carried out the massacre, but did not draw any further conclusions.[9] As his nephew lay in a coma, Gyanendra was named regent; but following Dipendra's death on 4 June 2001, Gyanendra ascended the throne.[10]
Early reign
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During his early years on the throne, King Gyanendra sought to exercise full control over the government because of the failure of all parties. In May 2002, he supported the popularly-elected Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba when he dismissed the parliament elected in 1999. In October 2002, he dismissed Deuba and consolidated his power for the first time. During the years 2002 to 2005 he chose and subsequently dismissed three prime ministers, finally dismissing Deuba for the second time and taking over as absolute ruler on 1 February 2005.[5] His brother King Birendra had negotiated a constitutional monarchy during his rule in a delicate manner in which he, as King, played a minor role in government. Thus, King Gyanendra's confrontational approach with the established political parties was met with widespread censure.
When King Gyanendra took complete control for the second time, on 1 February 2005, he accused Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba's government of failing to make arrangements for parliamentary elections and of being unable to restore peace in the country, then in the midst of a civil war led by Maoist insurgents.[11]
King Gyanendra promised that "peace and effective democracy" would be restored within three years,[12] but the period of direct rule was accompanied by repression of dissent.[13] International organizations expressed grave concerns about the safety of journalists, following the king's decision to restrict civil liberties, including freedom of the press, the constitutional protection against censorship and the right against preventive detention[14] Gyanendra countered, saying that "democracy and progress contradict one another" as a necessary step in restoring peace to the country.
In April 2006, the constitutionalists staged protests and strikes in Kathmandu against King Gyanendra's direct rule. The royal government responded by declaring a curfew, which was enforced with live firearms and tear gas. The government's response drew condemnation from other countries including India and the United States. On 21 April 2006, King Gyanendra announced that he would yield executive authority to a new prime minister chosen by the political parties to oversee the return of democracy. Several party leaders rejected the offer and again demanded that the King call a council to determine the monarchy's future role in politics. On 24 April 2006, King Gyanendra reinstated the previous parliament in a televised address to the nation.
End of direct rule
On 10 June 2006, the Parliament scrapped the major powers of the King, including his right to veto laws. This ended the idea of a "King in Parliament", and he was reduced to a figurehead, though for a time he continued to offer felicitations and to receive diplomats. According to Article 167 of the constitution, all executive powers as well as those enjoyed by the King in the previous Constitution are now vested in the prime minister. All powers of the 239-year-old monarchy were stripped, making King Gyanendra a civilian king under the interim constitution.
Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, who previously supported the continuation of the monarchy, said in March, 2007 that he thought the King should step down.[15] In June, Koirala repeated his call for King Gyanendra to abdicate in favour of his grandson Prince Hridayendra.[16]
On 23 August 2007, Nepal's transitional government nationalised all the properties King Gyanendra inherited from his brother including the Narayanhity Royal Palace. The move did not affect the properties he owned before his ascension to the throne.[17]
Attack at the temple
On the occasion of the Maha shivaratri, the King went to the Pashupatinath temple for worshipping lord Shiva. The cars escorting Gyanendra were stoned by unknown persons (predicted as Maoists) in the temple area. While the King was entering the temple, some people protested against the monarchy and the King.
After worship, the King returned from the western gate on foot. While he was about to enter into his car, stones were thrown at the King from the northern part of the temple. As the car proceeded, more stones were thrown at the car which was driven by the King himself. After the incident, hundreds of armed forces creating a circular chain of security led the King’s car on to Gaushala. Because of the protest and traffic obstruction, the King returned almost forty-five minutes late to the palace.
Security personnel tried to clear the crowd who were protesting with foul language. The situation worsened after the same mass were protesting as the King was about to return to the palace. To control the agitated crowd, the Nepal army, armed police force and the Nepal police were brought in large numbers. In the darkness, the King was being stoned from the north. A queue of people, in their impatience to enter the temple to worship, supported the protesters against the King.
The home minister said that the incident was very sad. He also said that the incident would not occur again and that the incident occurred on the effort of those who wanted no peace and stability in the country. King Gyanendra, who was unpopular among some people, was the first to face such an incident in the long history of the Shah dynasty. It is said this incident was all staged by Maoist to topple monarchy and come into absolute power.
Boycotting the King's birthday
The 60th birthday of King Gyanendra was boycotted by government officials including the ambassadors for Nepal who were invited for the King’s birthday. The royal palace requested for more security forces for the birthday party but the government refused the proposal stating that there were enough security arrangements already made. On the other hand, the palace insisted that the security situation in the country had worsened and so the party needed more security. About eight hundred people were invited but only about one hundred and fifteen people were present at the party.
According to one of the royal members only a few ministers of the Panchayat regime, royal members, about ten Major generals who were approaching retirement and some former army officials were present at the party of the King. Former Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa, Lokendra Bahadur Chand, Marichman Singh and ministers from Gyanendra’s regime were present at the occasion. The ambassadors of the member countries of the European Union weren’t present at the party at the royal palace as per their prior decision.
The Prime Minister, Speaker and Deputy Speaker of parliament, ministers and other high ranking officials weren’t present at the night party organized at the royal palace. The Prime Minister and government officials including the foreign ambassadors had already decided not to participate in the King’s party. The invitation was given to all in the name of Queen Komal.
The army chief, Rukmangat Katuwal, also was absent from the function but at the earlier birthday of the King, the army chief was present. The royal activists according to their scheduled plan held a rally marking the auspicious occasion of the King’s birthday. The student organization of the seven party alliance and the Maoist activists released a press statement that they would obstruct the gathering of the royal activists. During a clash between the group of students and the royal activists, a few were injured.
The government of Nepal, at the earlier birthday of the King, decided not to participate but send written felicitations of well wishes and congratulations. King Gyanendra appealed to everyone to work for peace and democracy in the country on the occasion of his 60th birthday known as ‘Hirak Janmahotsav’. He made this appeal to those who came to wish him well at the royal palace.
The third day of the birthday party was organized by Prince Paras Shah. The party members of Rastriya Prajatantra party were present during the feast. The King refused to speak to the media at the party. According to some witnesses, people meeting the King asked him to save the country and preserve its integrity and nationality.
Transition to republic
King Gyanendra, in an interview[18] with foreign reporters, expressed dissatisfaction over the decision made by the interim parliament to abolish the monarchy after the 10 April Constituent Assembly elections. The interview was published in Japan's leading newspaper, Daily Yomiuri. Speaking to a select group of Japanese correspondents at the Narayanhiti Royal Palace on 4 February, King Gyanendra said, "(The decision) doesn't reflect the majority view of the people. This isn't democracy." He, however, conceded that the people do have the right to choose the fate of the monarchy.
The King also said the law and order in the country was deteriorating, questioning the interim government's ability to govern the country even after he had accepted the roadmap of the seven-party alliance. Citing the recent survey which showed 49 percent of respondents favoured the continuation of the monarchy in some form, King Gyanendra claimed, "A majority of the people find great meaning in the institution of the monarchy. In all clouds, there is a silver lining. Let us hope."
Gyanendra had broken his closely guarded silence in an interview with a Nepali pro-monarchist weekly paper in which he said he remained silent to "let the peace process succeed." The King said, "Nepalese people themselves should speak out on where the nation is heading, on the direction it is taking and on why it is becoming chaotic." He claimed that his attempt on 1 February 2005 was for a good purpose—restoring peace and stability in the country. He said that his attempt wasn’t a success and so the countrymen are suffering at present.
In an interview taken with the King’s ‘advisor’, Bharat Keshar Singh, he claimed that the bill passed from the parliament was a bluff. Replying to the question raised regarding the King’s silence even after the bill was passed declaring the state a republic, he said that there was nothing for which the King had to respond. He claimed that the parliament which declared a republic was reinstated by the King himself and has no authority to dethrone the same King. He claimed that the King was examining the activities of the government and the parliament and was waiting for a suitable time for responding to them. He said that no people would accept the ‘bill’ unless decided by a referendum or elected members in the constituent assembly.
On 15 January 2007, the interim parliament was set up with CPN-M included, and on 1 April 2007, the interim government joined by CPN-M was formed. On 28 December 2007, the Nepali interim parliament approved a bill for the amendment to the interim constitution promulgated on 15 January 2007, with a clause stating that Nepal will turn into a federal democratic republic, to be implemented by the first meeting of the Constituent Assembly.
Abolition of the monarchy
It was announced on 24 December 2007, that the monarchy would probably be abolished in 2008, following the approval, as part of a peace deal with former Maoist rebels, of the Nepalese Parliament in favour of a bill that would see the constitution amended so as to make Nepal a republic.[19][20]
On 27 May 2008, the meeting decided to give the King fifteen days to vacate the palace, and decided that the first meeting would be held the next day at 11am (but was delayed due to the indecision among the leading parties on power-sharing and the nomination of 26 members of the Constituent Assembly).[21]
On 28 May 2008, the monarchy was officially abolished and replaced with a secular federal republic by an overwhelming vote (560-4) of the Constituent Assembly instead of referendum.[22] King Gyanendra accepted the decision in the following days.[23] As he was required to leave Narayanhiti, he asked the government to make residential arrangements for him on 1 June, and on 4 June the government decided to give Nagarjuna Palace to Gyanendra.[24]
King Gyanendra departed the Narayanhiti Palace in Kathmandu on 11 June 2008, moving into the Nagarjuna Palace. His new residence consists of ten buildings including the royal residence Hemanta Bas, three guest houses (Barsha Bas, Sharad Bas and Grishma Bas), one office secretariat and one staff quarters. Gyanendra and his family moved into the two-storey Hemanta Bas. Following his departure the Narayanhiti Palace was turned into a museum, while Gyanendra's diamond- and ruby-encrusted Crown and royal sceptre, along with all the other crown jewels and royal assets, became government property. The royal family's departure from the palace was reported as being a “major symbolic moment in the fall of the Shah dynasty, which had unified Nepal in the 1760s.”[25][26]
Departure from the palace
The King organized a press conference in the Kaski Hall of the royal palace before he departed. After finishing his twenty-minute-long speech, the King thanked all media personnel for attending the conference. During his speech, the King rejected the accusations made against him for the royal massacre, and denied that he had accumulated illegal money during his reign. He also denied other charges, such as the riches of his brother Birendra, Dhirendra, and other members of the Royal Family being transferred to his name.
He clarified that there were no changes in the monetary status of royal members during this period, and that his intimacy towards a sovereign Nepal will remain despite his constitutional position or status. He would also not leave Nepal and wanted to contribute more in the process of building a new Nepal and to contribute in the peace process by staying in the nation itself.
He said that the Parliament was reinstated in the price for peace and democracy in Nepal. He stated that he played a role in implementing the verdict of the government putting ahead the people’s mandate and wishes ahead of his own. The King controlled his emotions during the departure but Queen Komal was not able to control herself and her emotions poured out. The Queen had asked the King to request the government for Trishul Sadan or any other palace other than the main palace, but King Gyanendra refused it. But according to the King’s request the government of Nepal provided a place for his mother Ratna and his grandmother Sarala Shah inside the Narayanhiti Palace itself.
King Gyanendra also demanded Nagarjuna Palace in acknowledgment of the creative ending of the monarchy. The protesters protested against the monarchy as the King's car departed from the gate of the royal palace, while other groups were shouting in favour of the King and monarchy and asking the King not to leave the palace.
Autobiography
Gyanendra has reportedly started writing his autobiography. Leading a low-key life in virtual exile, his autobiography in English is to have five segments.
First public appearance after ousting
In his first public appearance since the declaration of a republic, former King Gyanendra visited a shrine of a Hindu religious sect in Bhaktapur on 2 October 2008. Speaking briefly to journalists after visiting Shyama Shyam Dhama in Thimi, Bhaktapur, the ex-King said he wanted peace in the country. He also wished for a peaceful festival (Dashain) for Nepali people. "Let there be peace and every Nepali must be able to live in peace and prosperity," the cheerful former monarch said. He, however, dodged political questions.
On meeting Shree Kripaluji Maharaj, the leader of a Hindu sect, he stayed for nearly an hour. It was not known what transpired during the meeting, but the ex-King is known to have gone there to receive blessings from the Indian guru.
He had left Nargarjuna Palace, his new home in the middle of a forest in the northwestern suburb of Kathmandu, at 11am, without security escort.
Gyanendra has lived a reclusive life since he moved to Nagarjuna Palace on 11 June after the first meeting of the Constituent Assembly declared Nepal a federal democratic republic on 28 May 2008.
Dashain Tika
The former King offered 'Tika' on the occasion of Vijaya Dashami, one of the most important festivals of the Nepalese people. Arrangements were made by the secretariat of the former King. In the past, as the head of state, the King used to offer 'Tika' and 'jamara' to the people during the dashain festival. President Ram Baran Yadav was doing the same at his residence at Shital Niwas.
Titles and honours
- HRH Prince Gyanendra of Nepal (1947–1950, 1951–2001)
- HM The King of Nepal (1950–1951, 2001–2008)
- Grand Cross of the Order of the House of Orange (The Netherlands), 1967
- Knight Grand Cordon of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant (Thailand), 1979
- Grand Cross of the National Order of Merit (France), 1983
- Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George (United Kingdom), 1986
- Grand Cross of Order of Isabella the Catholic (Spain), 1987
- His Holy Majesty, King of the Lands of the Nepalese People and Knight of the Holy and Most Majestic Order of the Rose of Jordan
(2001–2008)
- His majesty was crowned two times
See also
Notes
- ↑ Ghimire, Subhash (2009-05-10). "Nepalese Prime Minister Resigns, Country Plunges Deeper Into Political Crisis". The Huffington Post. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/subhash-ghimire/nepalese-prime-minister-r_b_196205.html. Retrieved 2009-05-29.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Chowdhuri, Satyabrata Rai (2001-07-27). "Monarchy in Nepal". The Hindu. http://www.hinduonnet.com/2001/07/27/stories/05272524.htm. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ↑ "Homeward Bound". Time Magazine. 1951-01-22. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,888899,00.html. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ↑ Buyers, Christopher. "Nepal". Royal Ark. http://www.4dw.net/royalark/Nepal/nepal13.htm. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Staff writer (2006-04-20). "Troubled times saw king's rise". CNN. http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/04/19/nepal.king.gyanendra/index.html.
- ↑ "Royal Biography of Nepal". MeroNepal.com.np. http://meronepal-com-np.f2g.net/atglance/royalbiography.html. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ↑ Nepal's Royal Massacre in Its Sixth Year
- ↑ Nepal massacre inquiry begins, at long last
- ↑ Prince blamed for Nepal massacre
- ↑ Nepal mourns slain king
- ↑ Staff writer (2005-02-01). "Nepal's king declares emergency". BBC News. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4224855.stm.
- ↑ Staff writer (2005-02-01). "Nepal's king sacks government". CNN.com. http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/asiapcf/02/01/nepal.govt/.
- ↑ Staff writer (2005-02-03). "Nepal's king acts against dissent". BBC News. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4233729.stm.
- ↑ "State of Emergency Imperils Information Flow". International Freedom of Expression eXchange. http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/64189/. Retrieved 2006-11-27.
- ↑ Nepal's king is made to cut staff
- ↑ King urged to let boy, 5, be Nepal’s saviour
- ↑ Nepal nationalises royal palaces
- ↑ "Nepal king, facing ouster, urges people to vote "
- ↑ "Nepalese monarchy to be abolished". BBC. 2007-12-24. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/7158670.stm. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ↑ Vote to abolish Nepal's monarchy
- ↑ Telegraph Nepal : Nepal King allowed 15 days to vacate
- ↑ "Nepal becomes a federal democratic republic", Nepalnews, 28 May 2008.
- ↑ "Ex-King Gyanendra says he accepts CA decision; prepares to leave Narayanhiti", Nepalnews, 2 June 2008.
- ↑ "Govt decides to give Nagarjuna palace to ex-King", Nepalnews, 4 June 2008.
- ↑ BBC NEWS, Former Nepal king to leave palace
- ↑ thaindian.com, Former King Gyanendra prepares to leave Narayanhiti Palace
External links
- Unofficial translation of the commission report on the palace incident
- "Profile: Nepal's King Gyanendra". BBC News. 28 May 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4225171.stm.
- King of Nepal is stoned by crowd. BBC 16 February 2007
- archived biography at archive.org
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Gyanendra of Nepal
House of Shah
Born: 07 July 1947 |
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| Regnal titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Tribhuvan |
King of Nepal 1950–1951 |
Succeeded by Tribhuvan |
| Preceded by Dipendra |
King of Nepal 2001–2008 |
Monarchy abolished |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by Dipendra |
Head of State of Nepal 2001–2007 |
Succeeded by Girija Prasad Koirala |
| Titles in pretence | ||
| Loss of title Monarchy abolished
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— TITULAR — King of Nepal 2008 – present |
Incumbent Heir: Paras |
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