Tharu-called bandh against VP's oath affects life in Terai
A bandh (shutdown strike) called by the indigenous Tharus
to protest the swearing-in of Vice President Parmananda
Jha in Hindi language has affected normal life in a number
Terai districts on Monday.
The bandh called by Tharuhat Struggle Committee has
partially hit businesses, educational institutions and
public transportation in Banke, Bardiaya, Kailali, Dang,
Morang, Sunsari, Siraha, Saptari, Rautahat, Nawalparasi
and few other districts. The bandh has been imposed in 22
districts in the plains.
Accusing the Vice President of hurting the sentiment of
indegeneous people by taking oath in a foreign language,
the committee has demanded that Jha take oath all over
again, in his mother tongue Maithili or the national
language, Nepali.
The Tharus, who are known as Bhumiputras or 'sons of
soil', have from the very beginning been protesting
against the 'one Madhes one province' demand of Madhesi
parties, and they had joined the protests of students
against the Vice President for taking oath in Hindi
language.
The protest call came even as a case against Jha's
swearing-in is awaiting the decision of the Supreme Court.
Furnishing a written clarification to the court over the
controversial oath yesterday, the government stated that
the VP's oath was "political in nature" and that it didn't
require judicial review. nepalnews.com mk Aug 04 08
Related News
- Case against VP for taking oath in Hindi
- VP oath issue is 'political in nature' than constitutional: Govt
