Controversy Over Oath In Hindi Continues
By KTM Metro Reporter in Kathmandu
On August 24, 2009, speaking at the Interaction Program held at the Reporters’ Club in Kathmandu, Minister for Law and Justice Prem Bahadur Singh has said that the government is determined to enforce the ruling of the Supreme Court of Nepal on the need for Vice-president Permananda Jha taking an oath in Nepali; and the Vice-president will increase his status if he takes the oath in Nepali.
However, Vice-president Permananda Jha has not made up his mind yet whether to take the oath in Nepali or resigned from the position. Leaders of the Tarai Madhesh Democratic Party and Madheshi People’s Rights Forum have been putting pressure on him to resign rather than taking the oath in Nepali.
This is another controversial issue the ceremonial President has created. As a protector of the Constitution of Nepal, President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav could have stopped the then-Vice-president elect Permananda Jha from taking the oath in Hindi and told him either take the oath in Nepali following the Interim Constitution of Nepal of 2007 or postponed the oath-taking ceremony.