V-P Jha refuses to take oath in Nepali,risks losing post

Jha,a former judge of the Supreme Court,had taken oath in Hindi against the provision in the Constitution that says that both the President and the Vice-President should take oath in Nepali. The Supreme Court recently ruled that Jha must take oath again in Nepali to continue in the post.

Jha said it was not his wish to complicate things in a country going through a transition period,but made it clear that his stance is in response to the misinterpretation of the Constitution by those assigned to deliver justice.

Following Jhas stance,the Presidents office,which had fixed 4 pm for the oath ceremony,called off the ceremony.

Over the past few days,the court ruling led to protests and shutdowns in parts of the Hindi-speaking Terai region,along the border with India. With some parties based in the Terai region in a mood to continue their protests,the controversy is also likely to have a fall-out on the government.

Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal had requested Jha to honour the Supreme Court decision,promising that there will be suitable provision in the new Constitution so that those holding public posts will be able to take oath in their mother tongue.

Jha said he would not take oath now and wait until the Constitution is amended,but the Prime Minsiters Office said the government has to go by the Supreme Court decision that gave Jha only a weeks time to comply with its order.