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Protesters Demand Public Apology from Nepal’s Vice President for his Oath taken in Hindi

Nepalese students protesting against the oath taken in Hindi by Vice-President Paramanda Jha. Photo: Smita Magar. Inset photo of Jha by Santa Bagam

Kathmandu, July 26, 2008- Students have continued their massive protests against Nepal’s newly elected Vice President Parmananda Jha’s use of Hindi language while taking his oath of office, and the secrecy during the Presidential and Vice-Presidential swearing in ceremony at Shital Niwas on Wednesday.

Student organizations affiliated with different parties staged demonstrations in various parts of the capital on Friday and demanded that VP Jha should publicly apologize for taking the oath of office in a "foreign language".

Student leaders also said that this was a matter of grave concern which has put the sovereignty and nationality of the country at risk. “By using Hindi in such an important event achieved with the years of movement and sacrifices of Nepalis, Jha has insulted them and stabbed our sovereignty,” said Thakur Gaire, the President of All Nepal National Free Students Union (ANNFSU), a student wing of CPN (UML).

He added that although eight student unions have not formally announced their protests against it, their regional, district and campus committees are protesting on their own accord all around the country.

Condemning the Jha’s insensitive action Chairman of Free Student Union (FSU), Bhim Sirish said, “Jha’s action hurt Nepali’s feelings and sovereignty so he should publicly apologize.”

Condemning the Jha’s insensitive action Chairman of Free Student Union (FSU), Bhim Sirish said, “Jha’s action hurt Nepali’s feelings and sovereignty so he should publicly apologize.”

Photos: Smita

Different student associations of indigenous nationalities also condemn the incident and have demanded that Jha publicly apologize for his action. “Vice President of our nation taking his oath of office in another country’s national language is a challenge to our sovereignty,” said Bhoj Bikram Budha Magar, President of Nepal Magar Students Association (NMSA). Magar further added that unless Jha publicly apologizes there will be protests against him.

Apparently enraged by Vice President Jha taking his oath in Hindi, students from all around the country have torched the Vice President’s effigy and obstructed vehicular movement.

The protesters obstructed vehicular movement in Kathmandu Valley’s Koteshwor, Sitapaila, Baghbazaar, Putalisadak, Jamal, Exhibition Road and in many major intersections.

The agitating students in different parts of the country such as Dhangadi, Gulmi, Itahari, Bardia, Myagdi, Biratnagar, Morang, Makwanpur, Rupandehi, Nawalparasi, Dadelhura and Tahahun districts have been torching Vice President’s effigy and blocking the major road and intersections in protest.

Photo: Smita

The demonstrations have halted public transport in these areas. However, market places remained partially open.

Vice president Jha took the oath of office in secrecy by translating it into the Indian Hindi language, even though President Dr Ram Baran Yadav administered it in the Nepali language.

The irate students have been protesting against the Vice President since Wednesday.
Now, organizations, political parties and some Constituent Assembly members are slamming Jha for his act. Maoists spokesperson Krishna Bahadur Mahara has declared protest if Jha does not publicly apologize.

A civil writ was filed at the Supreme Court (SC) on Friday demanding nullification of the oath taken by the Vice President.

The writ was filed by advocate Bal Krishna Neupane claiming that Vice President Jha’s use of Hindi went against the legal provision in the Interim Constitution 2063.

The writ demands that the oath be scrapped and the Vice President take the oath again in Nepali.

-Smita Magar in Kathmandu

तपाईंको भनाइ लेखी छाड्‍न र अरुको भनाइ पढ्न यहाँ क्लिक गर्नुहोस्
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