Monarchies of Vishwamitra
The monarchies in Vishwamitra refer to the semi-constitutional monarchy system as practised in Vishwamitra. The political system of Vishwamitra is loosely based on the Malaysian rotational monarchy and the Westminster parliamentary system in combination with features of a federation.
All of the six states are constitutionally headed by traditional Hindu rulers which are hereditary monarchies based on absolute primogeniture. All rulers use the title of Rajpramukh.
Every five years or when a vacancy occurs, the rulers convene as the Conference of Rulers (शासक सभा) to elect among themselves the Rashtradhyaksh, the federal semi-constitutional monarch and head of state of Vishwamitra. Vishwamitra, as a whole, is also an elective monarchy.
Roles
Each of the rulers serve as the head of state of their own state, as well as the head of government and religion in the state. The constitution grants the rulers to discharge both the functions of the head of state and head of government of their respective state. However, the rulers may appoint Chief Ministers to discharge some of their functions as the head of the government.
The Rashtradhyaksh is the federal head of state. The constitution describes the Rashtradhyaksh as a semi-constitutional monarch and an executive head of state, in addition to their symbolic roles as the Commander-in-Chief of the Vishwamitran Armed Forces, and carrying out diplomatic functions such as receiving foreign diplomats and representing Vishwamitra on state visits. The Rashtradhyaksh is the head of the religion and defender of all faiths in their own state and in the states without a ruler (formerly in Basistha). The Rashtradhyaksh is required to delegate all their state powers to a regent, except for the role of head of religion. Different from other rulers, the Rashtradhyaksh serves as executive head of state but has the Prime Minister as the head of government, who is appointed by the Rashtradhyaksh but remains in office at the pleasure of the Lok Sabha, the unicameral national legislature. The Rashtradhyaksh also has the power to incorporate new territories into the union, and also to appoint the governors of the states, the ceremonial deputy heads of the states, on the advice of the respective state rulers and the Prime Minister.
A unique feature of the monarchy in Vishwamitra is the Conference of Rulers, consisting of the six rulers and the Prime Minister as a visiting member. The Conference often convenes to discuss various issues related to state and national policies. The most important role of the Conference is to elect the Rashtradhyaksh every five years or when a vacancy occurs. Only the rulers participate in the election of the Rashtradhyaksh, as well as discussions related to rulers' privileges and religious observances. The Conference's other role in the federal governance of the country is to give consent to amendments of certain entrenched provisions of the constitution, namely those pertaining to the status of the rulers, the states, the status of the languages, and on the certain other important matters.
History
The system of monarchy in Vishwamitra is highly influenced by the Monarchy of Malaysia which comprises of several state monarchies among whom one is elected to serve as the federal monarch or Yang di-Pertuan Agong. The only dissimilarity between the monarchies of the two nations is the status of the monarchs and their role in the administration of the state. While the Rashtradhyaksh and other rulers serve as semi-constitutional monarchs, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the other rulers of Malaysia serve as constitutional monarchs.
The proposal to establish a monarchy in Vishwamitra was made by Varuna Sriraya, then Chairman of the Council of State before the members of the council on 2 June 2020 which was subsequently adopted by the council. The establishment of the monarchy on 8 June 2020 replaced the thirteen year long republican system in the nation. At the time of the creation, a federal elective absolute monarchy was established, however with the adoption of the Constitution on 1 August 2021, the absolute monarchy was replaced with a constitutional monarchy.
Table of monarchies
State | Monarch | Succession | Incumbent | Born | Age | Reigns since | Designated heir |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vishwamitra | Rashtradhyaksh | Elective monarchy | Varuna Sriraya | 11 January 2002 | 22 years, 103 days old | 1 August 2020 | None; elected by Conference of Rulers |
Basistha | Rajpramukh | Absolute primogeniture (de jure) Elective/Chosen (de facto) |
Anoushkaa Patranabish | 27 January 2010 | 14 years, 87 days old | 18 March 2022[a] | Prince Abhirup, Crown Prince (cousin) |
Beltola | Rajpramukh | Absolute primogeniture | Tanishkaa Patranabish | 17 April 2004 | 20 years, 6 days old | 8 June 2020 | Princess Asmi, Senior Princess (cousin) |
Kamrupa | Rajpramukh | Absolute primogeniture | Anirban Phatowali | 2 November 2009 | 14 years, 173 days old | 8 June 2020 | Princess Arnisha, Senior Princess (elder sister) |
Madhya Prant | Rajpramukh | Absolute primogeniture | Arnab Sil | 24 February 2004 | 20 years, 59 days old | 8 June 2020 | Prince Saikat, Crown Prince (younger brother) |
Purvanchal | Maharaja | Absolute primogeniture | Varuna Sriraya | 11 January 2002 | 22 years, 103 days old | 8 June 2020 | Princess Sarala, Crown Princess (cousin) |
Uttaranchal | Rajpramukh | Absolute primogeniture | Bishnu Chetry | 4 May 2001 | 22 years, 355 days old | 8 June 2020 | Prince Manoj, Crown Prince (younger brother) |
Notes
- ↑ The monarchy in Basistha was abolished on 11 September 2021 and re-established March 2022.