Rastriya Prajatantra Party Lawmaker Khushbu Oli Takes Oath in Sanskrit

Khushbu Oli, a lawmaker from the Hindu nationalist and monarchist Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), made history by taking her parliamentary oath in Sanskrit during the swearing-in ceremony at Singha Durbar on Thursday. She is the only current lawmaker to choose Sanskrit for the oath-taking, making her the second parliamentarian ever to do so.

The first lawmaker to take the oath in Sanskrit was independent MP Kiran Kumar Sah following the 2079 elections. Prior to that, no record exists of a parliamentarian opting for Sanskrit during oath-taking.

Speaking about her decision, Oli emphasized the cultural and civilizational importance of Sanskrit. She said, “Sanskrit forms the foundation of our civilization, culture, and knowledge. While nations from the United States to Germany are actively preserving and studying it, we have allowed our heritage to weaken. By taking my oath in Sanskrit, I aim to highlight its significance, promote Sanskrit education in schools, and send a strong message about conserving and revitalizing this ancient language.”

During the ceremony, a total of 63 lawmakers took their oaths in their respective mother tongues, reflecting Nepal’s rich linguistic diversity. Oli’s choice underscores a growing emphasis on cultural preservation and the promotion of Sanskrit as part of Nepal’s national heritage.