Gyanendra kept off Basantapur

Himalayan News Service

KATHMANDU: Former King Gyanendra cancelled his visit to Basantapur to attend a programme organised by Hindu activists to felicitate nine former Kumaris (living goddess) and 504 virgin girls in Basantapur Durbar Square today after the government urged him not to show up there citing security reasons.

Earlier, Gyanendra was all set to attend the religious rituals at 11 am to felicitate the Kumaris on behalf of World Youth Hindu Federation and get himself felicitated.

DSP Pradhumna Kumar Karki, Kathmandu Operation in-charge, said the former king’s office gave last-minute information to the police that he had cancelled the visit. Hundreds of security personnel were deployed in and around Basantapur Durbar Square to prevent any untoward incident.

Jaya Mukunda Khanal, spokesperson for the Ministry of Home Affairs, said the ministry had requested Gyanendra’s office to avoid the rituals in Basantapur citing security concerns. “Acting on a tip-off that his presence in Basantapur to felicitate former Kumaris and accept felicitation from WYHF could invite scuffle between pro-monarchy and anti-monarchy groups, we urged Gyanendra’s aides to cancel his visit,” he added.

The Home Ministry’s move comes at a time when the government is working on clipping the wings of monarchy on the cultural front also through the

formulation of country’s first National Cultural Policy. “The policy will be compatible with the republican

system and the king’s

presence in cultural activities completely barred,” Bishnu Raj Karki, Director-General, Department of Archaeology said.

The Maoist cadres staged a protest after the organisers displayed flex boards reading ‘His Majesty the King Gyanendra’ with his photos in all quarters of the venue inviting him as the chief guest. However, clashes were averted.

The Hindu activists drove nine former Kumaris to Nirmal Niwas to get them felicitated by Gyanendra. Rajan Maharjan, President, WYHF, condemned the government’s decision to stop Gyanendra from attending the religious ceremony, and confirmed that the former Kumaris and 10 other virgin girls were taken to Nirmal Niwas in the evening.

Maharjan also warned that they would prevent President Dr Ram Baran Yadav from attending Indra Jatra festival on Wednesday.