Tharuhat protest should not disturb social harmony: locals

While the gruesome murder of security personnel by protestors in Tikapur has left the entire country in a state of shock, the locals, irrespective of the communities they belong to, are worried that such incidents might disturb social harmony existing between the people of various communities residing in the district.

Although a majority of them have termed demand of Tharu community a genuine one, they have stressed on maintaining peace and harmony. Excerpts:

'Address genuine demands of Tharus'
Ramlal Chaudhari, teacher, Durgauli

This is not a struggle between Tharus and pahades (the people of hill origin). Tharus can never be against any other community. If Tharus are demanding Tharuhat, it is for their identity and it is a genuine demand. The state has to address our concern. We have been living in harmony with the hill-origin people since ages and this harmony should not be disturbed. But people's voices have to be heard if harmony is to be maintained. If Tharus are discriminated against, social harmony will surely be disturbed. I think the media can play a very constructive role in maintaining harmony by disseminating new without bias. Currently, it appears like Tharus and the hill origin people are against each other. And the media is to blame for this. We want to live in harmony and the state should ensure such environment.

'Cross-culture marriage in practice'
Naresh Khatri, former president, Tikapur FNCCI

The incident that took place on Monday is really very sad. That should not have happened. Tharus and hill-origin people actually have deep relationship. Cross culture marriage between the two communities has been is in practice for ages. So we are simply relatives. How can we sever such a relationship? We cannot fight each other under any situation. But there are some politicians who are trying to use people for their vested interests. We should all be cautious about it. Instead of being influenced by such wily leaders we got to move ahead in a positive spirit.

'Outsiders trying to divide us'
Mohan Upadhayay, social worker, Gurgauli

We are brothers as we have been living in harmony with each other for centuries. But the leaders are trying to divide us for their personal benefit. The Tikapur incident is extremely saddening. Now the situation has turned so bad that both the communities need security. The state needs to ensure that. Those who are behind the incident have already fled. So the innocent people of Tikapur should not be troubled under any pretext. At present, we all need to move ahead in peace and exercise patience. We should not allow outsiders to influence us.

'I have more friends from Pahade community'
Mahesh Prasad Kusmi, Pharmaceutical entrepreneur, Tikapur

We, Tharu and hill origin people have been living together for generations as a single family. I myself have been residing in Tikapur for 11 years. I have more friends from Pahade community than Tharu community. My friends from Pahade community are more helpful to me than my Tharu friends. It is unfortunate that so many people have lost their lives in the Tikapur incident. We have to maintain social harmony to prevent such incidents. I urge all to preserve social harmony existing between our people.

'We should continue to live in harmony'
Anand Hamal, FNCCI president, Kailali

Tharus and Pahades have been living in perfect harmony for ages. They had taken each other as their own relatives. However, the self-centered acts of political parties have destroyed their social bond and unity. The parties used them against each other for their vested interests. I want to request both the communities to preserve that harmony. We have been helping and supporting each other. So, we should continue to live in harmony.

Both communities dependent on each-other
Tilak Chaudhary, a local of Tikapur

Conflict between Tharus and Pahades will help neither of them. We have harmonious relationship with each other and we should preserve this bond. We can only move forward only with each-other's love and affection. It's really sad to know that several people lost their lives in the incident. We are deeply saddened the incident. Locals should prevent such incidents from happening again. We have been relying on each-other in time of need and this dependence should breed affection and not hatred.

Harmony rally should be organized
Bhadra Bir Chaudhary, social worker, Durgauli

Tharu people have the right to demand what they want and the state should address their demands. Similarly, people of hill origin also have such the right to make their own demands. The leaders should keep in mind the demands of all communities. Now the only way forward is through harmony. Although the incidents left all communities in a state of shock, we should maintain harmony with each other. People from the Tharu community used to go to the hill areas for trading. That is also the sign of affection. People from both the communities should jointly organize a harmony rally in Tharu and hill villages.

(As told to our Kailali correspondent Pushparaj Joshi)