Nepal Sadbhawana Party (NSP) has asked for Hindi to be made the second national language of Nepal, as it is spoken and understood by the entire Terai population. “Hindi cannot be dismissed as an Indian language. It is the contact language of a substantial portion of the Nepali population,” said Sitaram Prasad, president, NSP, Kathmandu district committee.

In protest against the incident where NSP acting president Badri Prasad Mandal was not allowed to speak in Hindi at the all-party mass meeting held on May 10 in Kathmandu, NSP rallied a march.

A delegation from the party also submitted a memorandum to Chief District Officer, Kathmandu demanding the formation of a committee to enquire into the incident and those behind it.

“This incident is related to a broader issue, that of prejudice against the people of Terai,” said Prasad. He added that Madhesias, the people of the Terai belt, face discrimination in employment and citizenship with their basic rights as Nepali citizens being denied them.

Their party leaders also voiced frustration with the inaction of the government to improve conditions for Madhesias and warned that their patience was wearing thin. Expressing disappointment at the silence of the major national parties on the issue, a party worker said, “Koirala speaks in Hindi while addressing meetings in the Terai, but does not condemn the incident that took place in Kathmandu.”

“We will organise protest meetings and demonstrations in different parts of the country,” added Prasad, outlining the future agenda of the party.