It is far easier for the Nepali ruling elite to point an accusing finger at India than negotiate in earnest with its own people
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Despite the promulgation of new constitution on September 20th, 2015, the majority of Nepal's population—including Madheshis, Tharus and other Janjati groups—have not accepted it. Over last two months of indefinite strike in the Tarai, 46 people have been killed, thousands have been injured and many more have crossed over Nepal's border to take asylum in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh of India. Despite government excesses, the peaceful strike of the Madheshi Morcha continues.
In the latest phase of the protest on October 1, 2015, around one million Madheshi people held hands to form a human chain along the 1,155-km Hulaki Road (Postal Highway) in Tarai, covering all the 20 districts from Mechi in the east to Mahakali in the west. Perhaps this is the first time so many people have joined hands to form a human chain, which could be recorded in Guinness Book of World Records. It showed the solidarity of the people on one hand and their displeasure with the new constitution on the other.More recently, the sit-in programs of Madheshi people at all major custom points along the Nepal-India border has not only affected the revenue collection, but also restricted the movement of goods-laden trucks into Nepal. Thousands of loaded trucks are lining up to enter Nepal from the Indian side for they feel insecure about entering Nepali territories. In the meantime the Madheshi Morcha leaders have also asked people not to pay any tax to the government of Nepal, which in turn may have far-reaching implications on national economy.
As it is well known, one of the core demands of the Madheshi and Tharu people is the establishment of two Madhesh provinces: one from Jhapa to Parsa and the other from Chitwan to Mahendranagar. Besides, they also demand population-based rather than geography-based constituencies for both houses of parliament. In the present constitution, there is a provision only for 65 electoral constituencies for the lower House in the Tarai, where over 51 percent of Nepal's population lives.
On the other hand, there is a provision for 100 electoral constituencies up in the hills which are home to less than half the country's population. Similarly, the protestors are demanding representation in 59-member upper house of the parliament on population basis. According to the new constitution, each federal state will be given eight seats for election to the upper house. If this principle is followed, the Madheshi and Tharu people will not only remain under-represented but also marginalized in the National Assembly, the upper house, as there will be only one Madheshi state in Tarai from Saptari in the east to Parsa in the west.
The Madheshis and Tharus are also worried about the way the constitution discriminates against children born to Nepali mothers married to foreigners. What those children will get is not citizenship by descent, but naturalized citizenship. Also, a foreign woman married to Nepali man will get only naturalized citizenship and they might have to wait for two decades to get same privileges as those who have citizenship by descent. Since all the constitutional positions are reserved for those who hold citizenship by descent, those with the naturalized citizenship will be treated as second class citizens.
Now a person would have to clarify the category of citizenship certificate that their parents possessed before contesting election for the post of Prime Minister or President of the country! Could there be a more biased provision anywhere else in the world? Also, the Madheshi and Tharu people have been denied proportional representation in jobs in state agencies which was guaranteed to them in the Interim Constitution (2007). On top of all this, the government totally ignored the agreements that it had signed with Madhesi leaders in regard to the formation of federal state in the Tarai.
Kathmandu has shown no seriousness to initiate dialogue with Madheshi and Tharu leaders, perhaps treating them as untouchables. Political leaders in power are busy in new power game. They don't seem much bothered about the suffering of common people caused by scarcity of essential items such as medicines, food, vehicle fuel and gas. Also, they are not taking seriously the closure of educational institutions, health centers, government offices, businesses, industries, agricultural activities and construction work.
Instead, they are bent on fanning anti-India flames by holding New Delhi responsible for the mess in Nepal. An impression is being created that the peaceful sit-in program of the Madheshi Morcha at the custom points in 'no-man's land between Nepal and India was instigated by New Delhi. As if this was not enough, the Indian flags as well as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's effigies have been burnt in various parts of the country. In addition, Indian TV channels were also shut down.
The Indian government, however, has made it clear that they have not imposed any blockade on Nepal. As such, many of the trucks loaded with goods, including food, petroleum and other products, have been coming to Nepal. It is mainly due to the lack of security and law and order problem in Nepal that many trucks loaded with goods fear to enter Nepali territories.
It is far easier for the Nepali ruling elite to point an accusing finger at India for the shortage of supply of essential goods in Nepal, rather than negotiate in earnest with their own people—the Madheshis and Tharus. Therefore the Madheshi movement, in all likelihood, will not end anytime soon. The government should understand that the present movement against the discriminatory practices in the constitution is of Madheshis/Tharus, by the Madheshis/Tharus and for the Madheshis/Tharus.
They are not under the control of any external force and these people are more than capable of finding their own solutions through peaceful means. It is better to keep one's own house in order rather than blame the neighbor for the disturbances in the house.
The author is an economist
