Nepal, Feb. 18 -- A growing controversy over the surname of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) senior leader Balendra Shah - widely known as Balen - has triggered legal scrutiny and political debate, with questions emerging over whether his official surname is "Sah" or "Shah."

The issue surfaced after discrepancies were found in his citizenship documents, placing the popular political figure under unexpected public examination.

Both "Sah" and "Shah" are common surnames in Nepal, yet they carry distinct historical and social meanings. "Shah" is traditionally associated with Nepal's former royal lineage, while "Sah" is widely used among Madheshi communities in the Tarai and is generally linked to merchant or business groups.

Remarks that spa...