23 years since the massacre of King Birendra’s family, the mystery remains
The incident remains shrouded in mystery even today.
KATHMANDU: It has been 23 years since the tragic massacre that wiped out King Birendra Shah’s family.
On the evening of Jestha 19, 2058 BS, within the confines of the royal palace, members of the royal family, including King Birendra Shah, Queen Aishwarya, Crown Prince Dipendra, and several others, fell victim to a brutal assassination.
Despite stringent security measures in place, the details of the massacre remain veiled in secrecy, haunting the collective consciousness of the Nepali populace.
The abrupt end of the Shah dynasty, amidst the transition from monarchy to democracy, has left an indelible mark on the nation’s psyche.
The tragic incident, which occurred on Jestha 19, continues to cast a shadow over every Nepali citizen, reminding them of the fragility of life and the unresolved mysteries surrounding the royal massacre.
Despite the establishment of a high-level investigation committee shortly after the event, led by the then Chief Justice, which implicated Crown Prince Dipendra in the killings, doubts persist among the general populace.
The legacy of King Birendra, known for his benevolent rule, was tarnished by the bloodshed that ensued on that ill-fated night.
The transition to democracy, proclaimed on Jestha 15, 2065 BS, marked the end of the monarchy, with King Gyanendra assuming the throne as the last monarch in Nepal’s history.
In the aftermath of the massacre, Crown Prince Dipendra was posthumously accused of masterminding the killings, a conclusion reached by the high-level investigation committee.
However, skepticism abounds among ordinary Nepalis, who question the official narrative and demand a more transparent and thorough investigation into the events of Jestha 19.
As Nepal reflects on the 23rd anniversary of the royal massacre, the wounds of the past remain unhealed, and the quest for truth and justice continues to elude the nation.
The memory of that tragic night serves as a somber reminder of Nepal’s tumultuous journey from monarchy to democracy and the unresolved mysteries that linger in its wake.
