Landmark Transgender Rights Verdict of Nepal - Translation

We are Queer Youth Group, a not-for-profit based in Nepal. Since 2020, we have been actively engaged in strategic litigations. One of the most landmark victory for queer rights in Nepal has been the verdict of Rukshana Kapali v. Government of Nepal et. al. This verdict established the right of legal recognition for transgender individuals.

This verdict has set a precendence for transgender rights in Nepal. We have been able to secure similar verdicts for other transgender folks through several High Courts across Nepal. While we engage with litigation as means to establish change for both individual and collective rights, we also engage with multiple languages spoken across Nepal.

Our approach for intersectionality and diversity is through language. Our work includes multilingualism and support for indigenous and marginalized languages of Nepal. Therefore, we want to make this verdict available in at least Provincial Languages of Nepal.

Nepali language (originally named as Khas language, or Gorkha Language) is the status quo and official language of Nepal. This language has remained the sole official language of the state for 300 years, since the beginning of the Shah regime. While the Constitution of Nepal promulgated in 2015 aims to establish a multilingual state system, it is yet to be implemented.

At this time, we want to expand this knowledge to at least those languages which have been nominated to be official languages at the province level. These languages are namely Maithili, Yakthung (Limbu), Bhojpuri, Bajjika, Tamang, Nepal Bhasa, Magar Dhut, Tamu (Gurung), Tharu, Awadhi, Khas, Dotyali, Hindu & Tibetan.

• Maithili : An official language of Koshi and Madhesh Provinces, spoken by a large population in the eastern Terai region.

• Yakthung (Limbu) : Recognized as an official language in Koshi Province, widely spoken by the Limbu community.

• Bhojpuri : Commonly spoken in the Terai, particularly in Madhesh Province, with a significant number of speakers.

• Bajjika : An official language of Madhesh Province, spoken by communities in the central Terai.

• Tamang : An official language of Bagmati Province, predominantly spoken by the Tamang community in the central hills.

• Nepal Bhasa : Also known as Newar, it is the native language of the Newa people, primarily spoken in the Nepa Valley (Kathmandu Valley).

• Magar Dhut : Spoken by the Magar community, especially in the mid-hills and parts of Lumbini Province.

• Tamu (Gurung) : Spoken by the Gurung community, particularly in Gandaki Province.

• Tharu : Widely spoken in the Terai region, particularly by the Tharu community in Lumbini and Sudurpashchim Provinces.

• Awadhi : Spoken in the Terai, especially in Lumbini Province.

• Khas : Spoken by communities in the hilly and far-western regions of Nepal.

• Dotyali : Primarily spoken in Sudurpashchim Province.

• Hindi : A commonly spoken and understood language across the Terai region, facilitating inter-community communication.

• Tibetan : Spoken in the Himalayan belt as it 75% mutual intelligibility among communities.

We aim to ensure accessibility and inclusivity through this translation project. Please chip in if you have, or share for visibility.