KATHMANDU: Vice President Parmanand Jha on Saturday  said that the state was not treating Madhesis fairly.

Addressing a programmed organised by Madhesi Journalists Association in the capital on Saturday  , Vice President Jha said it was unfortunate that the interim order issued by the Supreme Court against the implementation of 16-point agreement was being ignored.

“This order is being ignored mainly because this was passed by a Madhesi justice, which is in favour of Madhesis,” Jha said, adding that no matter how important posts Madhesi would hold, they would still not be treated fairly.

Vice President Jha said that he would not advise any Madhesi to vie for the post of Vice President, for the post holder could not use any power.

“I would advise Madhesis to vie for the posts of home secretary and finance secretary and not the post of Vice President,” he added.

Sadbhawana Party Chair Rajendra Mahato said that the draft constitution would not give anything to Madhesis and therefore Madhesis must launch street protests in their region.

“We will not get our rights unless we show our power from the streets,” he threatened.

Vice Chair of Tarai Madhes Democratic Party Brikhesh Chandra Lal said Madhesis faced discrimination in practice in the past, but the draft constitution intended to legalise discrimination against Madhesis.

Ram Naresh Ray, senior leader of Tarai Madhes Sadbhawana Party Nepal, said people of Madhes were ready to fight for their rights and even if some Madhesi leaders betrayed Madhesis, their betrayal could not stop Madhesi people from struggling for their rights.

Journalists awarded

KATHMANDU: Madhesi Journalists Association on Saturday awarded six Madhesi journalists at a programme in Kathmandu. Indra Kant Mishra, who retired from journalism 20 years ago, was awarded Gajendra Narayan Singh Journalism Award.

Similarly, Saptari journalist Anil Kumar Anal also received Gajendra Narayan Singh Journalism Award. Martyr Ramesh Mahato Youth Journalism Award was given to Rupandehi journalist Salman Khan and Siraha journalist Mithilesh Kumar Yadav.

Journalist Madhuri Mahato from Parsa and Jyotsna Kranti from Dhanusha received Uma Singh Journalism Award. Each award carried a purse of Rs 11,001.