Nepal Bhasa movement

Protestors demanding linguistic rights demonstrate at Kathmandu Durbar Square in June 1999.

Nepal Bhasa movement (Nepal Bhasa: नेपालभाषा आन्दोलन) is a linguistic movement of Nepal. It aims at the recognition and usage of Nepal Bhasa along with other Nepalese languages for official purposes.

History

The language movement can be divided into the following era-

• Early Shah/Rana era
• Jail era
• First democratic era
• Panchayari era
• Second democratic era
• Loktantra era

Early Shah/Rana era

Nepal Bhasa was the national language of medieval Nepal. After Shah dynasty ascended to Nepalese throne, Khas language was used along with Nepal Bhasa. During this era, Khas language was renamed "Nepali" and Nepal Bhasa was renamed "Newari".

During Rana regime, in 1905, a law was formulated which allowed only Khas language to be the official language of Nepal and banned the official use of any other languages. This created a sense of insecurity among the Nepalbhasa-phonie community. Although direct revolution against Rana regime was not possible, Pandit Nisthananda Bajracharya, a Nepal Bhasa intellectual reacted by bringing out a printed book called k Wishanti Pragyaparmita in 1909. Before the publication of this book, Nepalbhasa was limited to manuscripts and other hand written documents. This publication is considered to be the first act in the Nepal Bhasa movement. Shukraraj Shastri, martyr of Nepal, was responsible for publishing the first grammar book of the language from India during this era.

Jail era

The autocratic Rana regime created resentment amongst the new educated class of Nepalese people. Many of the educated people and unsatisfied factions of Ranas started to revolt against the regime. During the Library incident, the regime retaliated by imprisoning the intellects and educated people for opening library. The imprisonment gave these intellects spare time for writing. So, many of them started writing. Kabikeshari Chittadhar Hridaya wrote an epic during this era. Many people initiated their activities in Nepal Bhasa during their stay in jail. None of the people were directly arrested for writing in Nepal bhasa. However, the impact of the writings of this era was very profound on Nepal Bhasa literature and provided a modern literary base upon which further activities could be carried.

First democratic era

After the collapse of Rana regime, Nepal entered the first democratic era. The language activists tried to restore the official use of language as well as initiated programs for the modernization of the language.

Radio Nepal program movement

After the establishment of Radio Nepal, it broadcast programs in Nepali and English only. So, some of the concerned people made an appeal to start program in Nepal Bhasa. After some discussion, Radio Nepal allowed certain time for the broadcast of Nepal Bhasa programs.

Jah magazine movement

The students of Tri-Chandra College of Kathmandu, the first college in Nepal, used to publish an annual magazine called "Light". The magazine contained English and Nepali articles. Some of the students of the college requested the publishing committee of the magazine to include Nepal Bhasa articles as well. However, request was rejected even though there was a sizable number of students who understood Nepal Bhasa. The rejection of requests enfuriated some of the students. So, in retaliation, the students started a new magazine called "Jah" ("light" in Nepal Bhasa) at their own expense. Initially, the publication was considered a rash decision. But the magazine led to the gradual organization of students interested in Nepal Bhasa in the college. In the successive years and during Panchayat era when the language was largely suppressed, the magazine served as a breeding ground for new writers as well as for language activists. The magazine, still in publication, is considered as a sign of success by the present day Nepal Bhasa organizations.

Supreme Court episode

On 18 April 1958, the then Kathmandu Municipality passed a resolution that it would accept applications besides publishing major decisions in Nepal Bhasa in addition to the Nepali language. This policy remained in force until 1963 when it was cancelled by the Panchayat system.

Following the abolition of Panchayat and reinstatement of democracy in 1990, Kathmandu Metropolitan City declared on 25 July 1997 that its language policy would be revived. The rest of the city governments in the Kathmandu Valley announced in quick succession that they too would officially recognize Nepal Bhasa -- Lalitpur Sub-Metropolitan City on 14 July, Bhaktapur Municipality on 23 July, Madhyapur Thimi Municipality on 10 September, and Kirtipur Municipality on 15 September 1997.

While Newars hailed the move as an overdue right, its detractors went to court. A group consisting of Lal Bahadur Thapa, Yagyanidhi Dahal, Hari Prasad Pokhrel, Achyut Raman Adhikari and Dhruba Raj Thebe filed a joint petition at the Supreme Court against their decision. And on 18 March 1998, the Supreme Court issued a stay order preventing Kathmandu Metropolitan City from using Nepal Bhasa pending a final verdict.

Subsequently, on 1 June 1999, the Supreme Court quashed the decision of the local bodies as being unconstitutional. After the verdict was announced, demonstrators marched through Kathmandu in protest.

See also

• Nepal Bhasa
• Nepal Bhasa literature
• Nepal Bhasa journalism
• Nepal Bhasa renaissance
• Linguistic rights