Kathmandu: A Nepalese lawmaker and leader of
a Madhesi party today demanded that Hindi, which had played a
vital role in unifying Nepal, should be given recognition as
the second national language in the country`s Constitution.
Rameshwor Roy Yadav, general secretary of the Madhesi
People`s Rights Party (Democratic) said Hindi had played a
vital role in unifying Nepal as it was a contact language
among people speaking different mother tongues.
He demanded that Hindi be given recognition as the
second national language in the Nepalese Constitution.
Speaking on "the present and future of Hindi language in
Nepal" at a programme here, Roy recalled how he was kicked out
of Parliament nine times in 1991 for speaking in Hindi.
He said a marshal was asked to take him out of the
Parliament repeatedly for speaking in Hindi, he said, adding
the incident was also raised in the Indian Parliament.
"After that pressure was created upon Nepal government
and finally the Chairman of the Upper House or National
Assembly Beni Bahadur Karki allowed me to speak in Hindi in
the Parliament," he said.
Referring to the controversy that erupted after Vice
President Parmananda Jha took the oath of office in Hindi, he
said: "when the use of the language was allowed in the
parliament then why (Jha) couldn`t take oath of office and
secrecy in Hindi".
Buerau Report
