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BOOK REVIEW |
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BOOK REVIEW |
Death's Shadow A senior journalist sets
out to explain the background to and consequences of the royal palace tragedy By A CORRESSPONDENT Several books have come out, within the country and abroad, on the mysterious killings of 10 members of the royal family on the night of June 1, 2001 at the Narayanhity Royal Palace. But people are still searching for answers. Aditya Man Shrestha, a senior Nepalese journalist, has put together a gripping narrative of those dark moments based on the news, views, speculation and wild rumors the tragedy set off. Drawing heavily from newspaper reportage and the findings of the high-level commission, which blamed the massacre on Crown Prince Dipendra, Shrestha weaves a story that sheds important light on the events leading up to the burst of a hail of bullets that wiped out all five members of King Birendra's family and five other royal relatives. Shrestha also evaluates the carnage from the various angles highlighted during its immediate aftermath. "The Dreadful Night" is an absorbing narration of what happened on June 1, 2001 in the royal palace and its causes and consequences. The book is a fair representation of the divergent views different sections have on the gruesome incident. The only undisputed fact of the night was the death of 10 royals, including the revered Nepalese sovereign. The rest is a mystery. Somebody had to, at least try to, probe into the tragedy so that it could be seen in its proper perspective. Unlike other books and reports produced after the carnage, Shrestha's volume is fairly comprehensive. He has divided the book in 21 sections that provide different perspectives on the tragedy. Shrestha begins with the events of the dreadful night, narrating the psychology of the people and general sense of uncertainty gripping the country. Such unmitigated tragedy in the institution with the deepest roots in Nepalese society in itself was enough to convulse the country. Popular shock was exacerbated by the fact that the tragedy came as the country was sinking deeper into the mire of instability created by a spreading Maoist insurgency and economic decline. While recalling the spontaneous eruption of protests on the streets of the capital by people search for answers, Shrestha depicts how the tight secrecy maintained by officials helped to heighten the panic and chaos.Shrestha also examines the event as a threat to national integrity, citing similar instances in history and their consequences for the country. Dwelling on the monarchy's role in the emergence of modern Nepal, Shrestha highlights the strong and stable leadership King Birendra provided to steered the country through turbulent times. Narrating the much-talked-about relationship between late Crown Prince Dipendra and Debyani Rana, Shrestha also explores the alleged "foreign hand" through analyses of history and Nepal's relations with its neighbors. The book dwells on the role of foreign countries, including China, India and Pakistan, in Nepalese politics and the country's efforts to maintain equidistance between its northern and southern neighbors. Shrestha also examines the "divine hand" sections of the population attribute the carnage to. He discusses the role of monarchy in shaping the future of Nepal, which is facing the most serious crisis in its history as a modern nation. Those looking for a definitive account of what happened on that dreadful night will be disappointed. Shrestha has not drawn any conclusions and directs inquisitive readers back to the probe committee's report. Nevertheless, the book provides a valuable perspective on a tragedy whose impact will continue be felt. The Dreadful Night |
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editor: spotligh@mos.com.np |
