Nepal's King is stripped of political powers
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Nepal's parliament has voted to strip King Gyanendra of his constitutional powers and reduce him to a ceremonial figure.
The vote represents a decisive victory for pro-democracy protesters who took to the streets in huge numbers last month after a year in which the King had ruled with absolute power.
Parliament removed the King as commander-in chief of the Royal Nepalese Army, which will be renamed the Nepal Army. Soldiers will cease to swear an oath of loyalty to the King, and the chief of staff will be appointed by parliament. Removing his command of the army was widely seen as the crucial step to prevent King Gyanendra trying to seize absolute power again.
The Raj Parishad, Nepal's privy council, which had retained real power under the King, was abolished. The King will also have to pay taxes.
In a sign the interim government intends to modernise the country, yesterday's proclamation also announced that Nepal, until yesterday officially Hindu, is now a secular state.
There is considerable hope among Nepalis that the King's removal could pave the way for a peace deal with the Maoist rebels.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments