Madhesi parties take exception to SC order

KATHMANDU: Workers of the Madhes-based political parties today urged their party leaders to hit back at the Supreme Court's order against the Vice President Paramananda Jha. They have also urged their leaders to issue an official 'statement of reaction'.

“All the Madhesi people who standby Vice President Jha, hereby challenge the Supreme Court's order,” Gopal Thakur, CA and CPN- UML leader said, speaking at a programme in the capital today.

“Hindi and Madhes are synonymous to each other and Madhesi people won't compromise in their link language at any cost,” he added. Govinda Chaudhary, leader of Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party said that Hindi was associated with conscience and sentiments of Madhesis. “It is a shame on the part of the apex court to provoke anger amongst the Madhesis.

The oath-taking in Hindi is a political issue and the court cannot exercise its verdict on it, he said, adding that linguistic movement was as old as democratic movement in the country.

Laxman Lal Karna, co-president of Sadbhawana Party said that non-Madhesi people were jealous of the Madhesis occupying the top posts as President and VP.

Prabhu Shah, UCPN- Maoist leader accused the Supreme Court of hurriedly serving a seven-day ultimatum to the Vice President fearing that political parties would amend the constitution to rescue Jha. “We aren't ready to respect the verdict given by a handful of judges,” he added.

Ram Shah Prasad, leader of Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum claimed the court verdict was politically motivated to overshadow the Madhesh agendas.

Aravind Shah, leader of TMLP labelled the court's order as a conspiracy hatched to lingering the constitution-writing process.

Ajaya Prasad Chourashiya, leader of NC said, “The SC never questioned when Prachanda didn't take an oath of office and secrecy in Nepali dress as the PM. It has, however, put moral pressure on VP Jha to quit the post.”