Gyanendra of Nepal

] [
thumb|right|Small_boy_Gyanendra_being_crowned_by_the_then_PM_Mohan_Shumsher_in7 November, 1950]

He studied with his elder brother King Birendra in St. Joseph's College, Darjeeling, India; in 1969, he graduated from Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu.

King Gyanendra served as chairman of the Advisory Committee for the Coronation of his brother Birendra in 1975. He is also a keen conservationist and served as Chairman of the King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation from 1982 until his ascension of the throne in 2001. [cite web| title =Royal Biography of Nepal | publisher =MeroNepal.com.np | url =http://meronepal-com-np.f2g.net/atglance/royalbiography.html | accessdate =2007-12-25 ]

Gyanendra married Komal Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah on May 1 1970 in Kathmandu; they have two children

*Paras, Crown Prince of Nepal (born December 30 1971)
*Princess Prerana of Nepal (born February 20 1978).

uccession

The events surrounding the Royal Massacre on June 1, 2001 have proved very controversial in the country. A section of people still believe that King Gyanendra is the mastermind behind the royal massacre because all other royal family members were killed during the incident whilst none of his family members were. [ [http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0706/S00029.htm Nepal's Royal Massacre in Its Sixth Year ] ] 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 Gyandera, 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. [ [http://edition.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/asiapcf/south/06/08/nepal.royal.probe/index.html Nepal massacre inquiry begins, at long last] ] After interviewing more than 100 people—including eyewitnesses, palace officials, guards, and staff—they found that Dipendra had carried out the massacre, but did not draw any further conclusions. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/1387953.stm Prince blamed for Nepal massacre] ] As his nephew lay in a coma Gyanendra was named regent but following Dipendra's death on June 4, 2001 Gyanendra ascended the throne. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/1366170.stm Nepal mourns slain king] ] Recently, a Nepali writer, Ashutosh Shrivastav, in his article published that India and Nepali political parties could jointly have committed this crime [http://www.telegraphnepal.com/news_det.php?news_id=3609] . The writer has exposed the Indian expansionism over Nepal [http://newsblaze.com/story/20080619175135tsop.nb/topstory.html] . This is a developing story and more news is expected to come.

Early reign

During his early years on the throne, 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.cite news
author=Staff writer
title= Troubled times saw king's rise
date=2006-04-20
work=CNN
url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/04/19/nepal.king.gyanendra/index.html] 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, so 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. [cite news
author=Staff writer
title=Nepal's king declares emergency
date=2005-02-01
work=BBC News
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4224855.stm]

King Gyanendra promised that "peace and effective democracy" would be restored within three years, [cite news
author=Staff writer
title=Nepal's king sacks government
date=2005-02-01
work=CNN.com
url=http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/asiapcf/02/01/nepal.govt/] but the period of direct rule was accompanied by repression of dissent. [cite news
author=Staff writer
title=Nepal's king acts against dissent
date=2005-02-03
work=BBC News
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4233729.stm] 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 [cite web
title=State of Emergency Imperils Information Flow
work=International Freedom of Expression eXchange
url=http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/64189/
accessdate=2006-11-27|] 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. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6456145.stm Nepal's king is made to cut staff] ] In June, Koirala repeated his call for King Gyanendra to abdicate in favour of his grandson Prince Hridayendra. [ [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article1977459.ece King urged to let boy, 5, be Nepal’s saviour] ]

On August 23, 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 throne. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6961115.stm Nepal nationalises royal palaces] ]

Being stoned at the temple

On the occasion of the Maha shivaratri, the king was there at the Pashupatinath temple for worshipping lord Shiva. The cars escorting the car of Gyanendra were stoned by unknown persons at the temple area.After having worshipped, the king returned back from the western gate on foot. While he was about to enter into his car, some stone were thrown at the king at the temple from the northern part of the religious area. After the car proceeded, more of the stone were thrown at the car of the king which was driven by the king himself.

The thrown stone got into the cars escorting the king’s car and the car of the king as well. After the incident, hundreds of armed forces creating a circular chain of security led the king’s car forward to Gaushala. While the king was entering the temple, the people protested against monarchy and the king.Due to the protest and traffic obstruction, the king returned almost forty five minutes late to the palace.

The security personnel tried to clear out the mass protesting against the king and monarchy with foul languages. The situation worsened after the same mass protested while the king was about to return to the palace. To control the agitating mass, Nepal army and armed police force as well as the Nepal police was allocated in a huge number. In the darkness, the king was being stoned from the north region. The queue of people waiting for worshipping became impatient as the king took a long time inside the temple and supported the protestors protesting against the king.

The home minister of the then government said that the incident which happened was very sad and that there is no reason to stone the king who has a purpose of worshipping and nothing more than that. He also said that the incident wouldn’t occur again and also stated that the deed was of those who want no peace and stability in the country. This was the first time in the history of Nepal that a king was being stoned at. King Gyanendra who was ‘unpopular’ among the people faced such an incident during such a long history of the Shah dynasty.

Boycotting the king's birthday

The 60th birthday of king Gyanendra Shah was boycotted by the government officials including the ambassadors for Nepal who were invited for the king’s birthday. The royal palace requested for security for the birthday party and demanded more of the security forces but the government refused the proposal stating that there are enough security arrangements made already and no need of extra forces. On the other hand, the palace insisted that the security situation in the country has worsened and so there is necessity of more security. About eight hundred personnel were invited but only about hundred and fifteen person were present at the party.

According to one of the royal members only few ministers of the Panchayat regime, royal members, about ten Major generals who were to get retirement in the near future and some former army officials were present in the party of the king. Former prime minister Surya Bahadur Thapa, Lokendra Bahadur Chand, Marichman Singh and the ministers during Gyanendra’s regime were present during the occasion. The ambassadors of the member countries of the European Union weren’t present at the party of the royal palace according to their former decision.

The prime-minister, Spokesperson of the parliament, Deputy Spokesperson, ministers and other high ranking officials weren’t present at the night party organized at the royal palace.The prime minister, the government officials including the foreign ambassadors had already decided not to participate at the king’s party. The invitation was given to all in the name of queen Komal.

The army chief,Rukmangat Katuwal also remained absent at the function but at the earlier birthday the king, the army chief was present. The royal activists according to their scheduled plan performed a rally marking the ‘spacious’ 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. There was a clash between the group of the students and the royal activists in which few persons were injured.

The government of Nepal at the earlier birthday of the king, decided not to participate at the king’s birthday but send a written felicitations of well wishes and congratulations to him. King Gyanendra appealed 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 for his birthday 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 speaking to media persons at the party. According to some people present at the party, people meeting the king asked him to save the country and preserve it’s integrity and nationality.

Abolition of the monarchy

It was announced on December 24, 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 favor of a bill that would see the constitution amended so as to make Nepal a republic.cite web| title =Nepalese monarchy to be abolished| publisher =BBC| date =2007-12-24| url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/7158670.stm| accessdate =2007-12-25] [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7163034.stm Vote to abolish Nepal's monarchy] ]

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) which was widely believed to abolish the monarchy. [ [http://telegraphnepal.com/news_det.php?news_id=3489 Telegraph Nepal : Nepal King allowed 15 days to vacate ] ]

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. [http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2008/may/may28/news18.php "Nepal becomes a federal democratic republic"] , Nepalnews, May 28, 2008.] Gyanendra accepted the decision in the following days. [ [http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2008/jun/jun02/news07.php "Ex-King Gyanendra says he accepts CA decision; prepares to leave Narayanhiti"] , Nepalnews, June 2, 2008.] As he was required to depart Narayahiti, he asked the government to make arrangements for his residence on 1 June, and on 4 June the government decided to give another palace, the Nagarjuna Palace, to Gyanendra. [ [http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2008/jun/jun04/news08.php "Govt decides to give Nagarjuna palace to ex-King"] , Nepalnews, June 4, 2008.]

Gyanendra departed the Narayanhiti palace in Kathmandu on June 11, 2008 moving into the Nagarjuna Palace. His new residence consists of 10 buildings including the royal residence Hemanta Bas, 3 guest houses (Barsha Bas, Sharad Bas and Grishma Bas), one office secretariat and one staff quarters. Gyanendra and his family moved into the 2-storey Hemanta Bas. Following his departure the Narayanhiti palace was turned into a museum, while Gyanendra's diamond and ruby-encrusted crown and royal scepter 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 unified Nepal in the 1760s.” [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7447533.stm BBC NEWS, Former Nepal king to leave palace] ] [ [http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/world-news/former-king-gyanendra-prepares-to-leave-narayanhiti-palace_10058915.html thaindian.com, Former King Gyanendra prepares to leave Narayanhiti Palace] ]

Walking away from the palace

The last king of Nepal showed that the departure of monarchy doesn’t always have a bad ending. The end of monarchy could also be a historic moment besides the throwing away of monarchs at the past. The king organized a press conference in the Kaski Hall of the royal palace before he departed from his palace. The physical appearance of the king during his first and last press conference was unexpected but obvious as well. The thing that wasn’t obvious was the smile that was seen on the king’s face that day, the day he was putting an end to a 245 years old institution. The press conference was not managed properly and about three hundred media person were present at the conference.

Everyone thought that the king would be sad and unhappy during his presence in the hall, but to everyone’s surprise the king didn’t show a sign of sadness or sorrow ending his institution and stated that he will clearly support the verdict of the people and the proclamation made by the Constituent Assembly. After having finished his twenty minutes long saying, the king smiled and thanked all media person for arriving at the conference. During his speech, the king strongly refused the charge made to him for the royal massacre and denied that he had accumulated illegal money during his regime. Besides, this the king denied the other charge made to him such as transferring the riches of his brother [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birendra_of_Nepal Birendra] , [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhirendra_of_Nepal Dhirendra] , and other members of the royal family to his name.

He clarified that there was no changes in the monetary status of the royal member during his period, neither increased nor decreased. He said that his intimacy towards a sovereign Nepal will remain ever and ever despite his constitutional position or status. He made it clear that he is not going to leave Nepal and wanted to devote more in the process of making a new Nepal.He stated that he wanted to contribute to the peace process staying in Nepal itself.

He also insisted that being a king in 2007 B.S was neither his expectation nor his wish. He said that it was a compulsion to accept the throne at that time and the same when he became the king for a second time. He tried to defend himself that he didn’t commit any crime during his direct rule and that he always worked for the well being of Nepalese people. He announced that he didn’t interfere in the rights of any people. Beside this, the king pleaded for apologizing him and his family members for any work in the past had hurt the feelings and morale of people and asked people to think that the very work was done unknowingly. He insisted that the Nepalese monarchy worked always with the country’s and people’s interest and for their well being. He clarified that modern Nepal and democracy was the output of his ancestor’s effort but he didn’t reveal the reason for the breaking down of his institution. He said that the direct rule was an attempt for achieving peace and stability in the country.

He said that the parliament was reinstated for the cost of longing 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 wish. The king controlled his emotions during the departure but Queen [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Komal_of_Nepal Komal Shah] , was unable to control her emotions during the departure time. Gyanendra insisted her to control her feelings and emotions as the Medias would catch them out. The queen had asked the king to request the government for the Trishul Sadan or any other palace besides 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 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ratna_of_Nepal Ratna] , and his grandmother Sarala Shah inside the Narayanhiti Palace itself.

King Gyanendra also demanded for Nagarjuna palace as a proposal for the creative ending of the monarchy. The protesters protested against the monarchy while the car of the King departed from the gate of the royal palace. While the other groups were shouting in favor of the king and monarchy asking the king not to leave the palace. One leader of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (Nepal), Rabindranath Sharma claimed that the king had no right to put down the institution as a whole as he was just a member of the institution. He could not decide the fate of monarchy all alone.

Autobiography

Ousted Nepal's King Gyanendra has reportedly started writing his autobiography.Leading a low-key life in virtual exile, the former god-king's autobiography in English is to have five segments.

It starts with his turbulent childhood, when he was crowned king as a toddler and his life was in jeopardy after his grandfather Tribhuvan and father Mahendra fled to India seeking asylum, taking his elder brother Birendra with them but abandoning him.The momentous incident is believed to have affected the boy profoundly, triggering a latent desire for power and two years ago, moving him to stage a coup.

When he quit the Narayanhity royal palace two months ago, the deposed king referred to the childhood crowning, saying fate had taken a hand in making him king.The other parts of the autobiography deal with his experience of working as the chairman of the King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation, a role that was taken away after his regime fell, his days on the throne as the unexpected king of Nepal after Birendra and his entire family perished in a midnight massacre in the palace, the fall of monarchy and conclusion.

First Public Appearance after Ouster

In his first public appearance since the declaration of republic, former King Gyanendra visited a shrine of a Hindu religious sect in Bhaktapur on 2nd 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.

He stayed there for nearly an hour when he met Shree Kripaluji Maharaj, the leader of the Hindu sect. 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 god-man.

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 ever since he moved to Nagarjuna palace on June 11 after the first meeting of the Constituent Assembly declared Nepal a federal democratic republic on May 28 this year.

Former King VS President

The former king offered 'Tika' on the occassion of Vijaya Dashami,one of the most important festival of nepalese people.The arrangements was made by the secretariat of the former king.According to the security personnel,about five thousand people including former ministers,security personals,royal members were present at Nirmal Niwas,the residence of ex-prince Paras Shah.The king and the Queen were present at a normal physic during the program.At the past,as the head of the state,the king used to offer 'Tika' and 'jamara' to the people during the dashain festival.But even after the abolition of monarchy in Nepal,the king gave a continuation to the tradition.

The people awaiting the offerings from the former king insisted that there is a chance of the monarchy being reinstated in Nepal.The others were saying that it is still a symbol of unity among Nepalese people.One of the former home minister,Kamal Thapa said that although there is no technical and constituional existence of monarchy in Nepal,the monarchy is still alive in the heart of Nepalese people.On the other hand president,Ram Baran Yadav was doing the same at his residence at Shital Niwas.According to the security personnel,the president offered tika to about eight hundred people.He seemed to be happy offering tika to civil persons during the festive occassion.The people recieving tika from the president seemed to be happy and wished that there exist a longlasting peace in the country.The occassion showed that the king still has ample wellwishers for him even after a republic.

Titles and honours

*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 Isabel la Católica (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)

Notes

External links

* [http://www.nettyroyal.nl/nepal2.html Unofficial translation of the commission report on the palace incident]
*cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4225171.stm|title=Profile: Nepal's King Gyanendra|publisher=BBC News|date=28 May 2008
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6369195.stm King of Nepal is stoned by crowd. BBC 16 February 2007]
* [http://web.archive.org/web/20040220072734/www.nepalmonarchy.gov.np/index.php/king.htm archived biography at archive.org]

-
-

Persondata
NAME=Gyanendra
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=ज्ञानेन्द्र
SHORT DESCRIPTION=King of Nepal
DATE OF BIRTH= July 7, 1947
PLACE OF BIRTH= Kathmandu, Nepal
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=