‘languages of indigenous nationalities should be recognized as languages for official government business’
The Commission has made several recommendations, including recognizing all languages written in indigenous scripts as official languages for government business, making provisions for the national anthem to be sung in indigenous languages designated by provincial governments, and ensuring the State assumes responsibility for preserving the language and culture of every community.
KATHMANDU:- The National Commission for Indigenous Nationalities has released a 25-point set of recommendations aimed at ensuring an inclusive, just, and effective system of governance by amending ambiguous constitutional provisions to align with the times.
In unveiling these recommendations for constitutional amendment, the Commission has highlighted the need to effectively implement the constitutional rights of indigenous nationalities while upholding the principles of federalism, proportional inclusion, the republican system, secularism, and cultural diversity.
At a press conference held in Pulchowk on Thursday, Commission Chairperson Ram Bahadur Thapa Magar informed that the Commission had prepared its position based on the request for suggestions regarding constitutional amendment received from the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers and had submitted it to the government.
Chairperson Thapamagar noted the need to clarify and fully articulate certain provisions of the Constitution of Nepal (2015) that were either omitted or remained ambiguous, stating that the ‘Gen-Z movement’ has also highlighted the necessity for constitutional amendment. He expressed the view that the Constitution is not an immutable document but rather a fundamental law that should be revised in accordance with the times, circumstances, public aspirations, and socio-political changes.
The Commission has made several recommendations, including recognizing all languages written in indigenous scripts as official languages for government business, making provisions for the national anthem to be sung in indigenous languages designated by provincial governments, and ensuring the State assumes responsibility for preserving the language and culture of every community.
Similarly, it has proposed granting constitutional recognition to autonomous regions as a tier of government and ensuring representation from diverse genders and communities in high-ranking constitutional positions—such as President, Vice-President, Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of the National Assembly. The Commission has suggested establishing a system where these positions are filled by representatives from the Khas-Arya, Indigenous Nationalities (Adivasi Janajati), Madhesi, Dalit, or Muslim communities.
