The convention was inaugurated by family members of two indigenous people, who were martyred during movements of indigenous communities. Sunsen Mahato, father of Kamal Mahato who was killed during the indigenous movement, and Chok Bahadur Thanet, sone of Dhan Bahadur Thanet who lost his life for the same cause, jointly inaugurated the convention. [break]Although Vice President Paramananda Jha was invited to inaugurate the convention, Mahato and Thanet got the chance to light the inauguration lamp after Jha failed to turn up.
Unlike in the past, top political leaders belonging to the Brahmin community were not invited in the opening ceremony of the NEFIN´s convention. Aangkaji Sherpa, General Secretary of the NEFIN, said that top political leaders belonging to the Brahmin community were not invited because "they betrayed the cause of the indigenous community."
Non-Brahmin leaders of major political parties were invited to the NEFIN convention, though. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, UCPN (Maoist) leader Barshaman Pun backed the NEFIN´s demand for ethnic identity-based federalism. "We are still for ethnic identity-based federalism," said Pun. "We will not compromise on the issue. The indigenous community should also not give up this demand."
Nepali Congress (NC) leader Indra Bahadur Gurung accused the Brahmin leaders of major political parties of showing caste-leaning by not supporting ethnicity-based federalism.
"The top leaders of the major political parties are not ready to accept ethnic identity-based federalism," said Gurung. "They will not bow down to this demand unless all indigenous communities stand united to press for this cause."
However, CPN (UML) leader Prithvi Subba Gurung addressed the program in a softer tone. "Some indigenous people talk of violence," said he. "But, it does not help serve the purpose."
Ashok Rai, who formed Federal Socialist Party (FSP) after quitting the CPN (UML), accused the present government of depriving the indigenous communities of their rights. "Agreements as per which the present government was formed do not augur well for the indigenous communities," said Rai.
The NEFIN president Raj Kumar Lekhi said the umbrella organization of the indigenous communities was not for ethnic states. "We are for identity; and identity does not imply ethnic states," said Lekhi. "It is, indeed, the Maoists who talked of ethnic states."
"The land where the indigenous Tharu people live is historically called Tharuhat. This is why we want this state to be known as Tharuhat," said Lekhi. "We are in no way for preemptive rights for the Tharu people in the Tharuhat state."
The NEFIN convention has about delegates from 71 districts, 15 overseas chapters, seven professional bodies and 22 village committees. The convention is expected to elect new leadership of NEFIN.
Four vie for post of NEFIN chief
Four indigenous leaders are vying for the post of president of NEFIN in the convention. Chandra Bikram Rai, Naresh Tamrakar, Nagendra Kumal and Nityananda Tajpuriya contesting to lead NEFIN for the next five years.
For the post of NEFIN general secretary, three people are in the fray. While Dandu Sherpa, who is the treasurer in the present executive committee, is the frontrunner, Nabin Rokka and Lokraj Limbu will also contest for the post.
NEFIN convention will conclude on Monday by electing a 14-member secretariat.
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