By Sudeshna Sarkar, IANS
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.