KATHMANDU: The Supreme Court has issued an interim order barring the use of the term “people’s war” in government documents, deeming it unconstitutional.
A Constitutional Bench comprising Chief Justice Prakash Man Singh Raut and Justices Sapana Pradhan Malla, Kumar Regmi, Hari Prasad Phuyal, and Manoj Kumar Sharma upheld an earlier ruling from December 11.
The decision responds to a writ petition filed by Gyanendra Raj Aran and other conflict victims, who challenged the term’s usage in federal and Madhesh provincial budget statements for the fiscal year 2024-25.
The petition argued that the term contradicts the Preamble and Article 42(5) of the Constitution. Instead, petitioners called for the use of the term “armed struggle” or “armed conflict,” which aligns with constitutional language.
Initially, Supreme Court Registrar Bhadrakali Pokharel refused to register the writ on July 24. However, the apex court later registered it.
The petition named several government bodies as respondents, including the Office of the President, the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, the Federal Parliament Secretariat, and the Madhesh Provincial Government.
This decision mandates that references to “people’s war” in budget statements and appropriation acts be suspended until further notice.
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