Dozens of people died in the southern plains of Nepal when the indigenous Madhesi people took up to violent protests for weeks. Their primary demands- equal opportunity, fair share of the government and local resources, localised adminstration within a federal structure and issues of inclusiveness. The protests took a brisk start throughout the eastern and central plains of the country and when one of the protestors was shot dead by the Maoist cadres in the city of Lahan, it took a violent turn. The protestors revised their demands and a series of violent clashes erupted in many areas taking the lives of more than 50 people.
The Madhesi protests have been scaled down but no deal has been struck between the protestors and the goverment for a long-term solution. The demands for inclusiveness has been limited to providing space for the rebelling communities in the government and the top political brass doesn't seem interested in devising a long-term solution. The solution of the problems of Madheshis and other backward and oppressed communities of Nepal lies not only in politics but also on the social and economic restructuring as well as cultural and ideological transformations. The following are the steps that are identified as a way forward to implementing a permanent solution in Madhesh:
1. Outlaw racial slurs, respect Madhesis: Ban the use of words like ‘madise’, ‘desi’ , ‘dhoti’ etc directed at the people of Madhesi/Tharu origin. Treat them as racial attack and prosecute the offenders by law. Find similar words used against certain jaat/jaatis and ban them by law. Address them with their name or respectful pronoun; do not ever use derogatory adjectives. Treat Madhesis/Tharus and janajatis with respect.
2. Outlaw discriminatory practises: Ban all conservative traditions including lack of access to public and religious sites and services for being of certain caste or race, out law practises of untouchables/unsociability etc. I wouldn’t mind if people are allowed to chose and change their children’s surname according to their wishes.
3. Grant citizenship without a fuss: The new citizenship act has outlined the criteria for acquiring Nepali citizenship certificates. Grant citizenship to those who qualify under the existing act without
any hassle or fuss. Similarly, issue all kind of certificates that a citizen is qualified to acquire to the Madhesis, undergoing the necessary procedure similar to the Pahades.
4. Share opportunities/resources/governance in equal basis: They have been left out from the mainstream and inclusion is their chief demand. Impart rights of local-level decision making and implementation to the local authorities. Give the authority of local governance to the smallest body- for example the VDC or form something bigger – similar to the counties or boroughs. Of course run them by electing the locals. Madhesis need to sensibly elect their representative, voting for a Pahade and complaining about it doesn’t help. If Madhesi votes can defeat a Pahade candidate, big parties will be forced to field Madhesi candidates. The choice is finally theirs, so give pressure,
pose challenge, be united for one common Madhesi candidate. Ensure free and fair elections so that they can chose one of their own.
Allocate development budget proportionately to the local population and let them decide on their own where and how to spend. Take population into account while distributing budget meaning if a Madhesi dominant village has more population, give them more money to set up infrastructures and projects. Let them employ their own people for local needs. Run campaigns for education and public awareness. Estabilish schools and colleges and health centres and hospitals. Discourage conservative practises-boksi, dayan, dahej cultures. Rule your gau, tole, VDC and with that you can represent and rule your region/state whatever is envisaged in the federal structure. Federal structure will of course address the issues of ethnicity in Eastern hills and the whole Southern Terais. Address Karnali with a different approach. Other so called Pahade areas can follow suit. Give ample rights to federal authorities- including promoting local culture, language, industry, tourism, media etc. and spending their development budget themselves. Let them generate and use local income for themselves, unless the federal government doesn’t invest. On the income generated by federal government’s investment, fix a certain percentage for the particular state/region. Arrange the federal government to invest evenly on all states/region. Prioritise mega
projects- electricity distribution, road construction etc evenly. Similarly a certain amount of tax and revenue can also be fixed for the use of the same state/region from where it is collected.
5. Impart reservations for Women and Dalits: Allot reservations on women and dalits, especially on educational and employment opportunities. Strictly maintain reservations on political positions in all local and central level of governance. Meaning a Madhesi dominated state/region/locality must guarantee x percentage of women and y percentage of dalits in its political/governing structure. Same applies in case of other states/region.
6. Even distribution in the central government: Form a central/federal government that reflects and represents the state/regional governments, with proportionate representation of ethnicity and gender as much as possible. Apply same on other federal bodies like judiciary, army, police and civil services. It takes time, you know what I mean. Depends upon how fast no. 4 & 5 is implemented.
7. Outlaw the use of servants/haruwa/charuwa, Fix minimum pay and perk: Ban the customs of keeping servants/haruwa/charuwa and others for household and agricultural works. Fix a minimum दैनिक ज्याला for those who are hired to work for a single day. For long-term services, enforce the arrangement of a monthly or weekly salary based payment system. Protect the workers by law and prosecute those who don’t pay their domestic workers. If it’s possible, do your household works on
your own and stop keeping servants. For agricultural purpose, there’s minimum allowance threshold as said earlier.
8. Enforce strict business regulations: Start compulsory licensing for doing businesses to everyone, including all big, small and individual scale businesses. Grant licenses for businesses at fixed premises as well as for mobile businesses. Apart from the sale of local agricultural produce, let no one sell nothing without acquiring business license. Designate business areas in certain places of each ward of municipalities and VDCs, where such business can be done. Protect all the license holders by law. Ban trading of non-local and non-agricultural products from village-to-village and house-to-house. Ban all mobile businesses such as selling stuffs like Sari/tanna/galaicha and other non-agricultural products in non-designated areas and to those without license. This will prevent the risks of such business people being taunted, embarrassed and robbed. Grant license
for street vendors/chiyapasale/chana trakari wala/panpasal/juice / icecream parlours etc. Make a very simple rule for such licensing- just register their name, address and photograph to keep tab of the numbers involved in the businesses and for their own security purpose. Fine those who try to run business without license, depending upon the severity of their offences. Fix a threshold for tax free businesses and enforce strict taxation for those crossing the threshold. Enforce similar regulations for service businesses such as repairs and renovations, hair-dressing, massage parlours etc. With computer database and secure ID cards, it will not be too hard to handle.
9. Issue hassle-free privilege ID card to Indian nationals: As there is a free-flow of both nationals across the borders, some sort of registration can be introduced and privilege ID card can be provided only to the Indian nationals entering Nepal at the check-points upon arrival. India can do the same to the Nepalese nationals. This may require extra resources, but for the long run it helps both the country, preventing the chance of criminals and unwanted elements crossing the borders. Western nations keep tab on their own people going in and out, what’s wrong with doing this in Nepal and India? Once having an ID card, the individual may come and go as many times as he/she wants. This provision may require a modification in Indo- Nepal treaty or a separate agreement, but once implemented can be very rewarding for both the countries.
10. Discourage cross-border marriages: This may sound offending to many. But as long as it is not love marriage, it will be convenient and cost-effective to have relationship within the country. Find
grooms and brides in Nepal. Better encourage cross-communities and inter-caste marriages. (Remember the Pandhra Gatey serial by MaHa). Inter-caste and Inter-community marriages help people to mingle with each other, understand and respect various cultures. May be, just may be white people like to mingle with more black people than Asian or Oriental people because the blacks have tried more to adjust themselves to the white culture. One doesn’t have to give up
everything- that’s give and take.
11. Be Nepali by heart: Of course there is bond with people from across the border. But be Nepali by heart. Love the land where you give your sweats and enjoy the fruits in return. If you believe that Nepal is your own land, the land will do justice to you. We are all human beings. Nations and states can be divided by boundaries but humans can be divided or united by hearts only. If one opens his/her heart, the other has to reciprocate too. All Madhesis, Pahades, Tharus, Aadibasis, JanaJatis, Dalit, Chhut- Achhut- every one of us have harmoniously lived in the Nepalese land since centuries. And we can live together for ever- by being Nepali by heart.
The Madhesi protests have been scaled down but no deal has been struck between the protestors and the goverment for a long-term solution. The demands for inclusiveness has been limited to providing space for the rebelling communities in the government and the top political brass doesn't seem interested in devising a long-term solution. The solution of the problems of Madheshis and other backward and oppressed communities of Nepal lies not only in politics but also on the social and economic restructuring as well as cultural and ideological transformations. The following are the steps that are identified as a way forward to implementing a permanent solution in Madhesh:
1. Outlaw racial slurs, respect Madhesis: Ban the use of words like ‘madise’, ‘desi’ , ‘dhoti’ etc directed at the people of Madhesi/Tharu origin. Treat them as racial attack and prosecute the offenders by law. Find similar words used against certain jaat/jaatis and ban them by law. Address them with their name or respectful pronoun; do not ever use derogatory adjectives. Treat Madhesis/Tharus and janajatis with respect.
2. Outlaw discriminatory practises: Ban all conservative traditions including lack of access to public and religious sites and services for being of certain caste or race, out law practises of untouchables/unsociability etc. I wouldn’t mind if people are allowed to chose and change their children’s surname according to their wishes.
3. Grant citizenship without a fuss: The new citizenship act has outlined the criteria for acquiring Nepali citizenship certificates. Grant citizenship to those who qualify under the existing act without
any hassle or fuss. Similarly, issue all kind of certificates that a citizen is qualified to acquire to the Madhesis, undergoing the necessary procedure similar to the Pahades.
4. Share opportunities/resources/governance in equal basis: They have been left out from the mainstream and inclusion is their chief demand. Impart rights of local-level decision making and implementation to the local authorities. Give the authority of local governance to the smallest body- for example the VDC or form something bigger – similar to the counties or boroughs. Of course run them by electing the locals. Madhesis need to sensibly elect their representative, voting for a Pahade and complaining about it doesn’t help. If Madhesi votes can defeat a Pahade candidate, big parties will be forced to field Madhesi candidates. The choice is finally theirs, so give pressure,
pose challenge, be united for one common Madhesi candidate. Ensure free and fair elections so that they can chose one of their own.
Allocate development budget proportionately to the local population and let them decide on their own where and how to spend. Take population into account while distributing budget meaning if a Madhesi dominant village has more population, give them more money to set up infrastructures and projects. Let them employ their own people for local needs. Run campaigns for education and public awareness. Estabilish schools and colleges and health centres and hospitals. Discourage conservative practises-boksi, dayan, dahej cultures. Rule your gau, tole, VDC and with that you can represent and rule your region/state whatever is envisaged in the federal structure. Federal structure will of course address the issues of ethnicity in Eastern hills and the whole Southern Terais. Address Karnali with a different approach. Other so called Pahade areas can follow suit. Give ample rights to federal authorities- including promoting local culture, language, industry, tourism, media etc. and spending their development budget themselves. Let them generate and use local income for themselves, unless the federal government doesn’t invest. On the income generated by federal government’s investment, fix a certain percentage for the particular state/region. Arrange the federal government to invest evenly on all states/region. Prioritise mega
projects- electricity distribution, road construction etc evenly. Similarly a certain amount of tax and revenue can also be fixed for the use of the same state/region from where it is collected.
5. Impart reservations for Women and Dalits: Allot reservations on women and dalits, especially on educational and employment opportunities. Strictly maintain reservations on political positions in all local and central level of governance. Meaning a Madhesi dominated state/region/locality must guarantee x percentage of women and y percentage of dalits in its political/governing structure. Same applies in case of other states/region.
6. Even distribution in the central government: Form a central/federal government that reflects and represents the state/regional governments, with proportionate representation of ethnicity and gender as much as possible. Apply same on other federal bodies like judiciary, army, police and civil services. It takes time, you know what I mean. Depends upon how fast no. 4 & 5 is implemented.
7. Outlaw the use of servants/haruwa/charuwa, Fix minimum pay and perk: Ban the customs of keeping servants/haruwa/charuwa and others for household and agricultural works. Fix a minimum दैनिक ज्याला for those who are hired to work for a single day. For long-term services, enforce the arrangement of a monthly or weekly salary based payment system. Protect the workers by law and prosecute those who don’t pay their domestic workers. If it’s possible, do your household works on
your own and stop keeping servants. For agricultural purpose, there’s minimum allowance threshold as said earlier.
8. Enforce strict business regulations: Start compulsory licensing for doing businesses to everyone, including all big, small and individual scale businesses. Grant licenses for businesses at fixed premises as well as for mobile businesses. Apart from the sale of local agricultural produce, let no one sell nothing without acquiring business license. Designate business areas in certain places of each ward of municipalities and VDCs, where such business can be done. Protect all the license holders by law. Ban trading of non-local and non-agricultural products from village-to-village and house-to-house. Ban all mobile businesses such as selling stuffs like Sari/tanna/galaicha and other non-agricultural products in non-designated areas and to those without license. This will prevent the risks of such business people being taunted, embarrassed and robbed. Grant license
for street vendors/chiyapasale/chana trakari wala/panpasal/juice / icecream parlours etc. Make a very simple rule for such licensing- just register their name, address and photograph to keep tab of the numbers involved in the businesses and for their own security purpose. Fine those who try to run business without license, depending upon the severity of their offences. Fix a threshold for tax free businesses and enforce strict taxation for those crossing the threshold. Enforce similar regulations for service businesses such as repairs and renovations, hair-dressing, massage parlours etc. With computer database and secure ID cards, it will not be too hard to handle.
9. Issue hassle-free privilege ID card to Indian nationals: As there is a free-flow of both nationals across the borders, some sort of registration can be introduced and privilege ID card can be provided only to the Indian nationals entering Nepal at the check-points upon arrival. India can do the same to the Nepalese nationals. This may require extra resources, but for the long run it helps both the country, preventing the chance of criminals and unwanted elements crossing the borders. Western nations keep tab on their own people going in and out, what’s wrong with doing this in Nepal and India? Once having an ID card, the individual may come and go as many times as he/she wants. This provision may require a modification in Indo- Nepal treaty or a separate agreement, but once implemented can be very rewarding for both the countries.
10. Discourage cross-border marriages: This may sound offending to many. But as long as it is not love marriage, it will be convenient and cost-effective to have relationship within the country. Find
grooms and brides in Nepal. Better encourage cross-communities and inter-caste marriages. (Remember the Pandhra Gatey serial by MaHa). Inter-caste and Inter-community marriages help people to mingle with each other, understand and respect various cultures. May be, just may be white people like to mingle with more black people than Asian or Oriental people because the blacks have tried more to adjust themselves to the white culture. One doesn’t have to give up
everything- that’s give and take.
11. Be Nepali by heart: Of course there is bond with people from across the border. But be Nepali by heart. Love the land where you give your sweats and enjoy the fruits in return. If you believe that Nepal is your own land, the land will do justice to you. We are all human beings. Nations and states can be divided by boundaries but humans can be divided or united by hearts only. If one opens his/her heart, the other has to reciprocate too. All Madhesis, Pahades, Tharus, Aadibasis, JanaJatis, Dalit, Chhut- Achhut- every one of us have harmoniously lived in the Nepalese land since centuries. And we can live together for ever- by being Nepali by heart.
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