History of 4th June – Nepalese Royal Massacre
Today’s episode of this series is about the history of 4th June which is the crowning of Gyanendra Veer Bikram Shah in the year 2001. This event was after the infamous Nepalese Royal Massacre which killed the entire royal family.
Before I narrate the history of 4th June, I kindly request your participation in offering prayers for the soul of the individuals who passed away in the tragic train accident yesterday, which claimed the lives of over 200 people.
Coming back to history the most significant event in the history of 4th June is the crowning of Gyanendra Veer Bikram Shah after the Nepalese Royal Massacre.
Gyanendra is crowned
History of 4th June 2001. Gyanendra Veer Bikram Shah assumed power in Nepal following the tragic deaths of his older brother, King Birendra, and his nephew, Crown Prince Dipendra. The incident, known as the Nepalese Royal Massacre, occurred on June 1, 2001, during a dinner party at the Narayanhiti Royal Palace in Kathmandu.
During the dinner, Crown Prince Dipendra, allegedly intoxicated and enraged due to family disagreements over his choice of a spouse, opened fire on his family members. King Birendra, Queen Aishwarya, and several other members of the royal family were killed instantly. The crown prince later succumbed to his self-inflicted gunshot wounds. The event sent shockwaves throughout Nepal and the international community.
In the immediate aftermath of the royal massacre, Gyanendra, the younger brother of King Birendra, was next in line for the throne. However, due to the gravity of the situation and the instability it caused, a regency was established instead. Gyanendra’s nephew, Prince Paras, served as the regent until Gyanendra officially ascended to the throne.
Gyanendra Veer Bikram Shah was born on July 7, 1947, in Kathmandu, Nepal, as the second son of King Mahendra and Queen Indra. Before assuming the throne, he had been involved in various business ventures and was also active in politics. He had served as the Chairman of the King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation and was associated with several charitable organizations.
Gyanendra’s reign was marked by significant political upheaval and challenges. Nepal was already facing a decade-long Maoist insurgency that had started in 1996, seeking to overthrow the monarchy and establish a communist regime. The insurgency intensified during Gyanendra’s reign, and the country plunged into a state of civil war.
The king’s authoritarian rule and attempts to suppress the Maoist rebels through military means led to widespread criticism and discontent among the Nepalese population. In 2005, Gyanendra dismissed the elected government, declared a state of emergency, and assumed direct control of the country. This move further fueled public anger, resulting in mass protests against the monarchy.
Amidst the political turmoil, a historic event unfolded in 2006. The “April Revolution” or “People’s Movement II” erupted in Nepal, demanding the restoration of democracy and the end of the king’s authoritarian rule. The protests, involving a broad coalition of political parties, civil society organizations, and the general public, paralyzed the nation and forced Gyanendra to yield to the people’s demands.
As a result of the April Revolution, Gyanendra was stripped of his powers, and the Nepalese monarchy was abolished. The interim government subsequently announced the establishment of a republic. Nepal held its first Constituent Assembly election in 2008, which led to the abolition of the monarchy and the proclamation of Nepal as a federal democratic republic.
Gyanendra Veer Bikram Shah’s reign, therefore, can be seen as a period of tremendous upheaval and transformation in Nepal’s political history. While he initially assumed power under tragic circumstances, the events that unfolded during his reign ultimately led to the downfall of the monarchy and the birth of a new political era in Nepal.
That’s all for the day.
What's Your Reaction?
