Madhesis defend V-P as protests on in Nepal over his Hindi usage

Kathmandu, July 27: Madhesi groups came out in support of Vice-President Parmanand Jha in Parliament on Sunday, as protests against the beleaguered leader over taking oath of office in Hindi paralyzed parts of Nepal for the fifth day.Defending Jha's action, pro-Madhesi Constituent Assembly members said Hindi has become a common ... ...for the people of Madhes so there was no harm in using it.Madhesi People's Rights Forum chairman Upendra Yadav, leader of Terai Madhes Democratic Party Hridayesh Tripathi and Sadbhavana Party president Rajendra Mahato sided with Jha over the issue.The protests against 61-year-old Jha, who had taken the oath in Hindi wearing the Indian attire of 'dhoti-kurta' on Wednesday, continued across the country for the fifth straight day despite the Vice President saying he had used the language because his Madhesi People's Rights Forum party wanted to establish it as one of the national languages in Nepal.Transport services were blocked in Itahari, Nawalparasi and Chitawan while markets were closed in Jhapa, Dhading and Dhankuta to protest against Jha's Hindi use during the swearing-in ceremony.Students affiliated to different political parties blocked parts of Kathmandu's streets demanding a public apology from Jha and threatening to intensify agitation.Leftist Parliamentarian Radha Krishna Mainali also criticized Jha's action during the oath taking ceremony.Nepal's Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a petition filed by noted advocate Bal Krishna Neupane demanding that Jha be sworn-in again in the Nepali language.Jha, who on Sunday attended a public function wearing the national dress of Daura Surwal, however, declined to apologize, saying he will accept the court verdict.

Add to: del.icio.us | Digg