| Date | May 6 every year |
| Duration | One-day event |
| Observance | Provincial (Bagmati Province only) |
| Celebrated in | Bagmati Province, Nepal |
| Observing Communities | Newars, Tamangs, government bodies, linguistic activists and civil society organizations |
| Type of Event | Provincial Government Official Observance |
| Purpose of Event | To celebrate the recognition of Tamang and Nepal Bhasa (Newari) as official languages of Bagmati Province and to promote linguistic diversity and inclusion. |
| Holiday Status | Yes (Public holiday in Bagmati Province only) |
| First Observed in | 2024 (First official observance on May 6, 2024) |
Quick Fact: On May 6, 2024, Bagmati Province officially recognized Tamang and Nepal Bhasa (Newari) as its official languages alongside Nepali, making it the first province in Nepal to implement trilingual governance under the federal system.
Provincial Government Official Language Day is observed annually on May 6 in Bagmati Province to celebrate the historic recognition of Tamang and Nepal Bhasa (Newari) as official languages of the province. This landmark decision elevated these marginalized minority languages to official provincial status alongside Nepali, marking a significant milestone in Nepal's commitment to linguistic diversity under its federal governance system.
On May 6, 2024 (Baisakh 23, 2080 BS), the Bagmati Provincial Government officially declared Tamang and Nepal Bhasa (Newari) as official languages of the province through the Provincial Government Official Language Act, 2080 BS. The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal "Prachanda" and was coordinated by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Cooperatives along with Nepal Tamang Ghedung and Newa Dey Daboo. Nepal Bhasa is spoken by the Newar community primarily in the Kathmandu Valley with approximately 800,000+ native speakers. Tamang is spoken by the Tamang ethnic group with approximately 1 million+ native speakers.
This day is mainly observed to:
Celebrate the recognition of Tamang and Nepal Bhasa as official provincial languages.
Preserve and revitalize minority languages facing marginalization.
Affirm constitutional rights of linguistic minorities in Nepal.
Promote linguistic diversity and social inclusion in governance.
This day is observed through various official and community activities:
Official government ceremonies with high-level political participation.
Installation of trilingual signboards (Nepali, Tamang, Nepal Bhasa) in government offices.
Educational programs promoting language learning in schools.
Cultural performances and artistic presentations in minority languages.
Community gatherings and celebrations organized by Newar and Tamang communities.
This day is important for several reasons:
It serves as a model for linguistic federalism and minority rights protection in Nepal.
It symbolizes Nepal's constitutional commitment to diversity and inclusion.
It inspires other provinces to consider minority language recognition.
It strengthens ethnic identity and cultural pride among Newar and Tamang communities.
It supports endangered language preservation for future generations.
Provincial Government Official Language Day in Bagmati Province celebrates a historic milestone in Nepal's journey toward inclusive governance and linguistic diversity. The recognition of Tamang and Nepal Bhasa as official languages demonstrates that federal governance can serve as a vehicle for protecting and promoting the rich linguistic heritage of Nepal's diverse communities.