Former Indian Royalty in Distress

A BBC article reports that the Dangi society of 300 villages and around 200,000 people still affords due recognition to its kings in tribal functions. And they are still addressed by their former title of “Rajaji”. They are even given an annual ceremony of recognition by the Gujarat government, which pays their pension, equivalent to a mere $40-60/ month (Rs. 2000 – 3000)

King Chandra Sinh Suryavanshi and Queen Sushila at their small hut

Despite poverty, the five kings do not want to leave their subjects

But is this a living wage befitting former royalty? As the BBC story reveals, it seems to be a crime to be former royal members in India. They treated with such little respect that they have to eke out a miserable existence, e.g., by chop wood in the forest to make ends meet. It’s sad indeed when former member of a royal family are so humiliated. Whatever the reason for their demise, at least they should be provided with a living allowance. If the King was still at the head of his country (principality in modern India), what would have been the income required to maintain the royal household? This is shameful indeed especially when we consider that India is on the road to becoming a world power. As India grapples to come to terms with corruption in every aspect of the economy, starting from former Prime ministers and other politicians, army and police officers, government highway contractors, etc.

Recently, the government of India has promised to help the surviving relatives in India of Guyanese President Bharrat Jagdeo. Also, India awarded Sir Shridath S. Ramphal the Indira Gandhi peace prize, the monetary value of which was in the millions of rupees. Sir Ramphal was a former Attorney General and Foreign Minister of the anti-Indian black dictator, Forbes Burnham. What crime has the king and his royal household committed to make him less important than Bharrat Jagdeo or Sir Ramphal? Or to countries receiving large amounts of aid (e.g., Afghanistan), or Muslim pilgrims who are treated to paid trips to go to haj in Mecca to the tune of Rs 163 crore (Rs 1.63 Billion) in 2003?

In Canada, when even foreign citizens arrive and claim refugee status (genuine or otherwise), they are provided with a monthly allowance (federal government cheque) to meet their living expenses until their claim for immigrant status is heard. Aren’t the services that the King and royal household perform worth more than a meagre $40-60/ month? Time for the government of India to help the King and his household to live out their lives in dignity.

Dr. Roop Misir is an Indo-Guyanese Canadian.

 He is currently a Science Teacher with the Toronto District School Board