The newest republic of the world-Nepal is in a fragile transitional phase since it is undergoing lots of historic changes. After overthrowing a 240 year old monarchy backed by a 95000 strong Nepalese Army, notorious for their bravery, Nepal became the newest republic of the world. While the proposal to divide Nepal into federal states is being discussed among main political parties, the debate about whether or not to divide Nepal into autonomous federal states with right to self-determination has deepened. With this debate, views have been polarized; one camp believes dividing Nepal into smaller states will compromise the integrity of the nation, while the other camp believes it will help in development and better governance, modeled after the most developed country in the word, United States.
There are three major debates about the introduction of federalism in Nepal. Firstly, there is a debate about whether or not Nepal should be divided into federal states. Secondly, if majority supports federalism then, should the federal states be autonomous with right to self-determination, which in plain language means the individual states could be run independently of the federal government. Thirdly, should these federal states be demarcated according to race and ethnicity of people living in those corresponding states or should it be based on geography, like in the past even though it has proved to be unsuccessful. As a Nepalese youth this issue is important to me since the decisions that will be made now will affect the future generation. More importantly, I am from the southern plains of Nepal, locally known as Madhes which has been marginalized and deprived of equal opportunities for development and representation in the government for centuries. If Nepal decides to have autonomous federal states with right to self-determination then, my region would get equal opportunities for development and representation.
However, this issue is a fairly complicated issue and it would not be easy to decide on either of them. After Madhesis (people from southern plains of Nepal that I belong to) raised demands for autonomous federal states, such demands started to be raised by regional ethnic groups throughout the nation. Dividing the nation into federal states based on race and ethnicity is not a rational step as it would push Nepal towards disintegration and possible struggle for independence in the future. Also, regional tensions among states would take the form of ethnic conflict which is a big impediment for stability. The political leaders are caught in a lose, lose situation. If they do not agree to the demands of Madhesis who represent almost half of the Nepal’s population, various Madhesi factions have threatened to launch an armed struggle and violent revolutions which would tear the country apart. If they do decide to succumb to Madhesis’ demands, other smaller ethnic groups’ demands would also have to be met since they have issued similar threats too. So, the country would end up being divided into federal states on the basis of ethnicity. Either way, Nepal loses.
"I am from the southern plains of Nepal, locally known as Madhes which has been marginalized and deprived of equal opportunities for development and representation in the government for centuries"
ReplyDeletewell friend i am neither communist nor royalist or congress i am a nepali and as a nepali to another nepali i want to tell you i think this thinking of madeshi people is totally wrong. this kind of thinking is the root cause of all the problems. what i think is everyone was marginalized and deprived of opportunities for development and representation in the government for centuries. those who were in power and their friend and relatives were only given opportunities for centuries. And those who have ability to develope by themselves got the opportunities. else we nepalese were never given to the opportunities. if you go to northen side also tai tal cha, if you go to south of nepal situation is the same. only major cities and people were somewhat developed. but you cant say its developed. Anyway i felt your quote was a little negative. And this thinking will only bring pain and misery to all the people in nepal. and innocent people will only suffer. whether its federalism or democracy or republic its all ok. only the thing is we have to chance our negative thinking and think what we can do for our country nepal not what country did or can do for us. if we dont then tai ho india or other country will take adventage of our situation and not only political parties but country as a whole and all the people of nepal will loose. So i hope you will give all your friends and nepalese right and positive suggestions or sanskar which will bring prospority and developement for all the nepali and future generation. if you ask me i love all the nepalese i dont care if its madeshi or newari or bahun or chetri. for me nepali means nepali and i wont love or respect others like nepali in this life. answer is simple we must change our thinking first. jai nepal
Shrawan, I like your optimism and positive way of looking at issues and situations. But I think you are getting a little defensive here. There is no denying that Madhesis have been deprived of their rights and opportunities for equal representation in the past. I would recommend you start your investigation by reading a little about Nepalese history when Madhesis were suppressed by Ranas and King Mahendra alike. Not only political discrimination there is this racial discrimination too. You would know how Madhesis are considered subjugated race if you would study in Kathmandu, amid largely Pahadi population, who call you by names of ‘Marsya’, ‘dhoti’, ‘kale’, ‘chana-chatpate’ and what not. I can testify that I have been addressed several times by every single of these derogatory names during my stay in Kathmandu. You can only imagine what it feels like to live as a Madhesi among Pahadi community who like to call you names at every chance they can possibly get. How can anyone then convince me that Madhesis are not discriminated? Shrawan, I see your point but Madhesis have been discriminated and that is a fact.
ReplyDeleteYou argue that it’s not only Madhesh that has been deprived of rights and equal opportunities, so are other regions of Nepal. True, I agree. But don’t you see the difference. While the northern region was deprived because of unrelenting terrains that were unsuitable for development which made it inaccessible, Madhesh was ignored despite having tremendous potential for development which is palpable to any sane mind. There is this contrast between Human Discrimination vs Geographical Discrimination.
You made a valid point. There is no other alternative than to work together now. But acknowledging the deeds of the past makes a difference. If you tell me Madhesis have not been discriminated, it would be as insulting as someone telling Jews that Holocaust didn’t occur. Do not feel offended. It’s not you who discriminated against Madhesis, it was this system.
I understand your feelings friend. I also had some friends like you during my school days. I remember they used to say although they were nepali they felt they were treated well in india than in nepal. This is the sad part. I never said madeshi were not discriminated. Or they were not called by names. I didnt like it. i understood they were nepalese and i used to think why people were like this towards them. The first reason i found was lack of education. Most of the people had not gone to southern areas of nepal. So people in cities and towns didnt know there are nepalese who looked different than them. madeshi looked like indians to them. And they got alienated. They didnt understand madeshis were their nepali brothers. Its true ne friend nepal ma TV ayeko kati years vayo ra? Around 25 years max. So the child who started seeing tv 20 years ago will start realising the facts now. Had they been properly educated before then they would have never treated madeshi differently. And to punish innocent people due to lack of education is wrong dont you think? Im sure you people will get recognition and rights you are seeking. Nepal will give you everything she can give. Nepal is not like sri lanka or bhutan. And i dont want to see nepal going into struggle again for 10 years. It is very depressing. Brothers killing brothers, 24 hours loadsheding, no drinking water, no food, no jobs. And friend why are you bringing jews and holocaust in the middle i dont think we did anything like that and i hope it will never happen in nepal.
ReplyDeleteMalai sri lanka ma yeti vanera bolau cha lol
ReplyDeleteYour optimism is unparalleled. Nepal needs more young people like you.
ReplyDeleteBro
ReplyDeleteNice post
but again as I have been finding out recently, everything is a matter of perspective, the way of looking at things.
I totally agree with almost all of what you have said including the marginalisation of terai people (sorry find it hard to digest madhesh.) true, the Nepal that we grew up was Pahade dominated mahendra era nationalism thing.
but then brother, what next?
Revenge for all those humiliations and sufferings and discriminations? Or Forgive, forget and join together? look at s. africa, even a racial socity managed to forgive and live on.
If things are to be taken then, its the same both way brother. i was the single pahade student in mys chool at siraha and I was called names to brother...like saar ke pahadiya...but does that give me the right to vent my anger at my Nepali brethren from the terai in kathmandu?
No it does not.
So in essence, I am saying is, the only feasible solution is to live together rather than segregating along ethnic lines which will only further this sort of negative feelings.
Keep writing and best of luck for YOUR elections..