KATHMANDU: The Language Commission of Nepal has once again stressed the importance of using the Nepali language on embossed number plates for vehicles, citing constitutional and judicial precedent.
The commission emphasized that the Constitution of Nepal, under Article 7 (1), designates the Nepali language, written in the Devanagari script, as the official language for government functions. The constitutional body, which is tasked with protecting and promoting the nation’s diverse languages, expressed its dissent over the current provision of using only the English language on the new vehicle number plates.
In support of its stance, the commission also referenced a Supreme Court ruling from June 23, 2024. The court’s decision, based on Article 7(3), stated that matters related to language, beyond the official and state languages, should be decided by the Government of Nepal based on the Language Commission’s recommendation. The court directed all three tiers of government to act in accordance with this constitutional provision.
Commission Chairperson Dr. Gopal Thakur stated that the body, in fulfilling its constitutional responsibility, has decided to draw the government’s attention to the need to use the Devanagari script (Nepali language) on the embossed number plates.
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