Kathmandu: The Language Commission has emphasized the need to use the Nepali language in the embossed number plates installed on vehicles. The Commission asserted that Article 7(1) of the Constitution of Nepal stipulates the Nepali language, written in the Devanagari script, as the official language of Nepal for government functions.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the constitutional body mandated to protect, promote, and develop the nation’s languages also expressed its dissent over the latest provision of vehicle number plates being in English only. Furthermore, the Commission cited the ruling of the Supreme Court that the embossed number plates must be in the Nepali language rather than any languages and scripts unrecognized by the constitution, thereby pressing for the use of the Nepali language on vehicle number plates.
In a decision regarding the use of the Nepali script delivered on June 23, 2024, the Supreme Court ruled that Article 7(3) stipulates that other matters relating to language, beyond the official Nepali language and state languages, will be decided by the Government of Nepal upon the recommendation of the Language Commission. Hence, it directed all three tiers of the government to act in line with the constitutional provision.
Commission’s Chairperson Dr. Gopal Thakur shared that the Commission, acknowledging its constitutional responsibility, has decided to draw the attention of the government once again to the need for using the Devanagari script (Nepali language) in the embossed number plates.