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King pinned in 'secular' Nepal
Published on Thu, May 18, 2006 at 15:40, Updated on Fri, May 19, 2006 at 08:52 in 
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New Delhi: Nepal Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala on Thursday presented in Parliament a landmark resolution that aims to drastically curtail the powers of King Gyanendra and take away the control of the Army from him.
The proclamation aims to strip the King of his formal title of supreme Commander-in-Chief of the military, and call an end to 'His Majesty's' administration, renaming it simply as Nepal Government.
With this proclamation, Nepal will no longer remain a Hindu state and will instead become a secular country. The Royal Nepal Army will henceforth be renamed Nepal Army Cabinet. Portions of the National Anthem, which referred to the King’s glory have been removed.
The proclamation has also scrapped the King's Advisory Council and Cabinet has been put in charge of palace security.
"It reflects the aspirations of the people and respects the sacrifices of the people who were martyred during the movement," said Koirala, referring to weeks of mass protests against King Gyanendra.
The Royal Snub |
 King's Advisory Council scrapped |
| Nepal no longer a Hindu state |
| Cabinet in charge of Palace security |
| Royal Nepal Army renamed Nepal Army Cabinet |
| "His Majesty's" administration renamed Nepal government |
| King stripped of power as Supreme Commander-in-Chief of military |
| National Anthem scrapped |
| The new Cabinet also plans to tax the King |
The resolution was presented after it was approved by the multi-party Cabinet earlier on Thursday.
The new Cabinet also plans to tax the King and allow his actions to be challenged in court.
The principal advisory body of the King, the Raj Parishad or privy council, is also expected to be scrapped.
Analysts have expressed doubts over the effectiveness of the proclamation, as under the current constitution no Parliamentary bill can become law until the head of state — the king — signs it.
But politicians say the proclamation overrides the Constitution and reflects the will of the people and therefore cannot be challenged. They also say the king would have no powers and the proclamation would not need his approval.
King Gyanendra triggered the crisis when he sacked the government and assumed full powers on February 1 last year, saying the government had failed to quell an anti-monarchy Maoist revolt that has killed more than 13,000 people.
The new government has reciprocated a rebel truce, and the Maoists have agreed to talks.
Nepal has been quiet since the ceasefires were declared, a welcome respite from months of widespread civil unrest and years of fighting between soldiers and Maoists that killed thousands and left the aid and tourism-dependent economy in tatters.
(With agency inputs)
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