December
8, 2007 King's Newest
Angst:
To Attend or Not to Attend Weddings By Sudeshna Sarkar
Kathmandu
Stripped of his enormous powers and now living under the shadow of a
trust formed to take over the royal property he inherited from his
slain brother, Nepal's cornered King Gyanendra now has a new source
of concern - whether or not to attend weddings.
Earlier accustomed to being given pride of place at all the weddings
he chose to grace along with Queen Komal, the king now has to think
about all the implications first before deciding to attend a wedding
party.
Early next year, an erstwhile royal family will host in India a
wedding bash - one of the subcontinent's most talked-about events -
to be attended by former princes, top politicians and foreign
envoys.
However, it is doubtful if King Gyanendra or any other member of
Nepal's royal family will attend the function to be hosted by the
family of Karan Singh, former ruler of India's princely state of
Kashmir, who is related to the Nepal king by marriage.
Earlier this year, King Gyanendra had to skip the wedding of Devyani
Rana - once known as the girl Nepal's earlier crown prince Dipendra
wanted to marry against the wishes of his royal parents - with
Aishwarya Singh, grandson of Indian Human Resources Minister Arjun
Singh in New Delhi.
With the sword of an election hanging over him that would have
chosen between monarchy and a republic, the king was unable to leave
the country.
Now, things have worsened for the 238-year-old Shah dynasty with the
Maoists demanding that the government abolish the crown first and
then hold election.The rebels have tabled the demand in parliament
and have been emboldened after winning a simple majority in the
house.
This month, the government formed a trust to take over the land,
palaces and riches owned by Birendra, who was killed in the infamous
palace massacre in 2001, along with queen Aishwarya and three
children.
Though the property was inherited by King Gyanendra when he was
crowned after the killing, it will now be put to the use of the poor
and needy.
Even if the Koirala government allows the king to attend the wedding
in India, it is doubtful if he will go.
The Maoists have begun capturing the estates of several royal kin in
Nepal, despite condemnation from rights groups.
At least two royal relatives were reported to be trying to sell
their lands.
Ironically, weddings are among the dwindling public engagements left
for the royals. With visiting foreign dignitaries no longer calling
upon the king, religious ceremonies have been his focus.
This month, King Gyanendra appeared in the news after a long time
when he attended the wedding of the son of a royalist minister.
Boloji.com is owned and managed by Boloji Media Inc Privacy Policy |
Disclaimer
No part of this Internet site may
be reproduced without prior written permission of the copyright holder.
