United Nepal:
It is really a bad idea to divide Nepal and make it a federal system. Our problem is not being non-federal; nor will being a federal solve it. How about problems more pronounced within Terai: Dalits, Women, Tharu etc. Are we also going to create federal states for Dalits, Women and others too? The political structure of Nepal is a matter of clear thinking and debate in view of the long term interests of all. It should not be an issue of appeasing a violent sub-group.
Our problem is non-empowerment of many sub-groups among our people. That must be addressed. We must and technically we do recognize such sub-groups; and design strategies towards their inclusion. That is best done by providing targeted better educational and economic opportunities and political participations. For example, take a case of a Dalit woman in Terai. She is in triple jeopardy. How her problem will be solved by the federal system? Let us not forget that she is being looked down by her neighbors and males of her own family. Can we solve it by beating up a high caste, male Nepali some where up in the Hill? How about giving her educational, job and encouragement to vote? It may not sound sexy or violent enough, but such steps do make society move.
It is not about side stepping the issue. For example, in USA the historical discrimination against African American is a well understood fact. Yet, no prominent African American leaders demand race specific concession. They are all for education and job opportunities for poor Americans, regardless of race. Because making it a race issue will fossilize the issue in the society along with attendant tension and division. It will not solve the basic problems of African American, rather will add problem to every body. Therefore demanding progress of all poor American, both white and black, is much wiser politics. It is the platform where all Americans can come together. It does not divide nation by race. And of course, majority of Americans benefiting from such policies will be African Americans. It will not allow petty African American politicians benefit by harping on race issue. The assistance goes directly to the targeted sub-group where it is most cost effective. As the national integration progress the race issue will become redundant. An Iranian proverb puts, ‘Wise man learns from others experiences. Fools learn from own mistakes.’
Dividing Nepal creates more problems without solving any. The division will merely fossilize the problems within each state; create tension between ethnic groups and the states. On top of that the economy of scale, small as it is, will suffer. The petty leaders will rule at the expense of national statesmen.
It is really a shortsightedness and intellectual poverty to consider our problem as a tension between Hill and Terai people. This is not accurate historically or socially. How a Gurung from Annapurna Mountain or a Sherpa from Solokhumbu exploited a Madhesi in Janakpur? Are they a part of exploiting class or a part of exploited class in different settings? How a Nepali living in Itahari feels closer to another living in Dhanagarhi, but not with some one living in Dharan? Our problem is feudal lords, Jimuwals and Jamindars, soaking up revenue in and from all over Nepal; and the corrupt political leaders. That includes both Pahadi and Madhesi lords and leaders. Most of the Hill people in Terai are economic migrants. Matter of fact they are migrating to India also. The motivation is the lack of opportunity in Hills. They are trying to make a living, not exploiting Madhesi people. When did Hill people invade Terai? Earlier, Terai belt suffered from malaria and other tropical disease and only hardy indigenous people could survive. Many enterprising Jamindars, both Nepalese and Indian, tried to colonize it with full support of Nepal government. Only after the eradication of malaria in the last century the major migration begun. The migration has been from India as well as from Nepalese hills. Thus the migration is natural and inclusive.
Yes, we must express in concrete term that Nepal is a multi-lingual and a multi-ethnic nation as being declared time and time again, in old or new constitutions. How do you propose to do that? Is it by education, having cultural zones; or violence and division?
What is a Nepali nationhood? Can we see unity in diversity or only irreconcilable differences? If a Newar from Kathmandu could not distinguish a Madheshi Nepali from an Indian tourist, where is the hostility? Is it a matter of simply correcting a misunderstanding or a legitimate case for violence? Which Nepali institution or political party systematically alienates any groups in Nepal, Madhesi or otherwise? If there are any, do not we have to point out and raise the issue peacefully first, before blanket accusation and violence? How to define ‘we’ and ‘they’? Do we go by the ideal of 'Bashundhaiwa Kukumbakama' or have ‘Mahabharata’ war between cousins? The argument is not about defending status quo, but about using peaceful democratic method as the first option. What exactly are the problems facing Madhesi or Janajatis in the context of Nepalese society at large, and is there peaceful way to address it? We must be clear on both counts before justifying violence and division.
Let us talk about so called dominant Bahun and Chhetri groups. What percentage of Hill people are they? Does any Bahun and Chhetri gets free government stipend merely being so? Yes, there is disproportionate number of them in key positions. But then is it nepotism or casteism? In Nepal, did we ever have caste war like between Shia and Sunni in Iraq happening now? Matter of fact, many subgroups thinks themselves being discriminated – Rai, Magar, Newar, Thakali; you name it. How far we want to go? Historically, Pandeys murdered Thapas, Thapas murdered Pandeys; Ranas murdered both. And all of them left Madhesi, Sherpa, Dalits, women alone. Same pattern repeated all over Nepal, including Madhesh between local petty chiefs. Those events are political struggles in the by gone eras, not relevant today. If Madhesi, for that matter any other ‘Janajatis’, are not well represented in the national main stream; then we have to ask what the reasons are. Is it constitutional, administrative or societal? Which section of constitution discriminates? If it is administration, then is not it a matter of the ‘Members of Parliament’ acting within? If it is societal, then is not it a matter of education and cultural exchanges? This must be put in the context of all the under represented sub-groups in Nepal. How does dividing Nepal in to two parts, Madhesh and Pahad, will help?
It is so sad to see a few disgruntled and intellectually lazy people trying to vent their prejudice and anger against weakening Nepalese nationalism. When Europeans with a long history of animosity and wars are coming together to create the European Union; we Nepalese sadly are talking about dividing Nepal and start a civil war.
The basic questions we have to think through are: What is the vision of Nepal tomorrow? Where are we now? Why are we here? And what route do we take? Let us have a vision that we are the flowers of different hues of a single garland. Let us appreciate and celebrate the cultural diversity. Let a Nepali citizen may live any where in Nepal without any prejudice of caste, creed, gender or language. Today our nation has many positives along with a few negatives. They are the hang overs from our feudal past. We are now citizens of Nepal, not feudal subjects. Let us take peaceful democratic route as the first option.
Last but not least, let us remember our Dharma and roots. This is what connects us – Nepali. Let Dharma give us light and guidance in these dark times. Let us not forget our roots go before King Janak and King Yalamber. Let Gnan yoga help us to understand the consequences of our policies. Let Karma yoga help us to distinguish between national and self interests. Let Raj yoga help us to keep motivation clean, and avoid viewing through the lens of anger and fear. Let Bhakti yoga help us to foster enough neighborly love. Let our spirituality define the framework on which the mechanics of politics operate.
Let truth shine over falsehood, and light over darkness.
“Asato ma sadagamaya, Tamaso ma jyotirgamayaâ€
