Current Situation of Terai-Madhesh

♦ Chandra Mani Gautam

Background

Terai-Madhesh, where 48% of the total population in 17% of the total area of Nepal, live in 21 districts. The Madhesh movement held in 2007 and sit-in movement in 2015 with the same footing of about 5 months long blockade imposed to Nepal by India are said to be the strongest movement to have taken place after Peoples’ Movement of 2006, as the identity based movement for democratic Federalism had claimed 54 lives of Madhesi Nepali citizens.

After an unprecedented uprising of the Terai people immediately after promulgation of Interim Constitution 2007, for the first time was amended within 2 months of its promulgation in order to enshrine federalism. Madhesh agendas regarding Federalism, equal rights, electoral system, citizenship, language and so on, occupied the center-stage of the nation.

Right after the 20 day long Madhesh Movement, Tharu Movement seeking for their distinct identity and separate state, also took place on the very Terai land. The spontaneous movement after centuries long suffocations of Madheshi people eventually have been recognized by all parties and endorsed in all state documents as the national movement as well.

Meanwhile, for the first time, the much-talked book entitled Nepal Strategy for Survival (1971) authored by Leo E. Rose analyzed about Terai and its people, “In the mid-19th century and thereafter, another wave of Hindu and Muslim migrants from the adjoining area of India entered the Terai area of Nepal, where today, along with such indigenous communities as the Tharus, they form the bulk of the population” (p.7).

There has been occur significant changes, restructure process and equations in Terai centric parties, especially after the elections of three levels on 2017 in spite of vast differences among them. Six parties merged into one naming Rastriya Janata Party Nepal and bagged 19 seats in the elections of Federal Parliament, 28 seats in Provincial Legislative and 1112 representatives in Local Governments.

Likewise Sanghiya Samajwadi Party won 19 seats in Federal Parliament, 40 seats in Provincial Legislative and 1555 representatives in Local Level. Recently this party has been united with Naya Shakti Party led by Dr. Baburam Bhattarai. Terai centric parties have their significant presence in all level of representation, but diminished in size in comparison to previous one. Almost eminent leaders of all major political parties have been elected as Parliamentarian from the constituencies, situated in the Terai.

Latest activities: Coalition and Polarization 

Although there are some armed groups still unwilling to come into peaceful national mainstream but inactive rebellions, thus Terai-Madhesh in these days seems comparatively peaceful; no any conflict or serious upheaval happening in the society. Whoever are against compromise, the common mood and trend indicates, ultimately, they too are expected to come for dialogue and negotiation rather than uncertain street movement.

Even the secessionist element in the name ‘Swatantra Madhesh Gathbandhan’ (Independent Madhesh Alliance) led by CK Raut has joined main stream politics in 2018 after an agreement with Government. At the higher political echelon there is still dispute and vast differences not only among political parties, diverged perception within them can obviously be perceived.

Sanghiya Samajwadi Party is in favour of ‘One Madhesh Single province’ whereas others consider it as a futile attempt. A Member of Rastriya Janata Party Nepal says,”We believe that state restructuring should eliminate discrimination. Let geography not be another avenue for discrimination in the future. At the beginning we demanded ”one Madhesh one Pradesh” but it has been many years since we gave up that demand.”

Noted analyst from Madheshi society Chandra Kishor writes, “Madhesh has sought the centrist way for self empowerment. Madhesh has wanted the structural advantage of democracy by means of peaceful manner. …Madheshi politics from now on, not only for Madhesh sake, but ought to be targeted in representation, management and service deliver to cherish of entire Nepal. Therefore, it must be written now in every walls of Madhesh, ‘Not only Madhesh but needed whole Nepal, needed the greater one  but not a small.’

Prospect of New Movement 

‘Madhesh’ is assumed symbolically a synonym of ‘suffering injustice’ rather than a ‘problem’. Possibilities of another Madhesh Movement cannot be ignored whenever the injustice as the conflict ingredients exists. Economist Dr Govinda Bahdur Thapa writes, “Extreme discrimination, exploitation and oppression are rampantly existing in Madhesh. But such tyranny are inflicted more from large landowners, Feudal and elites of Madhesh than the state level.”

All Terai-centric Parties do show earnest desire through their expression for a new Movement so that the political setback resultantly undergone from the last election be compensated, but only in such a condition if Movement’s outcome should be the only owner.

Analyzing about the citizenship problem in Terai-Madhesh to have been still alive, a research by Uddhav Sigdel has such findings: More than 46.86% Madheshi Dalits respondents told that they had to endure intimidations and threats imposed by so-called ‘high caste’…. It seems civil rights couldn’t be attained unless the civil rights movement would be conducted by themselves…. Political struggle can rip off structural hindrances and paves the way in the communities for the sake of an utmost change.”

Existence of countless youths to drive up the movement, failure of law and order from controlling the racial discrimination, widespread various rigid traditions, superstitions are precondition for new movement that may trigger. A widely heard complain come from movement-minded new generation is noteworthy, “Madhesh based parties marketed the Madheshi agenda much, but the outcome or achievement did not reach to the Madheshi people level”

Constitution : Madhesh friendly  

The Supreme Court in accordance with article 154 of the Interim Constitution 2007, issued a mandamus order to the government to form an independent National Terai-Madhesh Commission for addressing issues like inclusion, empowerment, equality/equity of the people living in the region. No such body was formed before for this purpose. Present constitution, famous for inclusiveness, has already enshrined the verdict of SC.

“The order has been issued as per the constitution’s spirit of empowering the people of marginalized communities and disadvantaged groups through the provision of the positive discrimination” SC source explained rationale behind the order. Article 154 of the interim constitution had a provision as the government can form necessary commissions to safeguard and promote the rights and interests of different sectors of the country including women, Dalits, indigenous ethnic groups, Madhesis, disabled, labourers or farmers.

Now to do

1. Impractical and impossible demand such as ‘One Madhesh Single Province’ or single identity based state structure should be relinquished for a better outcome. An Expert on Federal model Dr. Nicole Topperwien’s arguments in this regard relevant to recall “….In order to reframe the debate on federalism, there should not be any discussions on the numbers, boundaries and names of the federal unit.
2. First the major issues of the federalism should be addressed like how to make one’s life easy irrespective of where s/he lives. Ensuring free movement between the units, good representatives at the center, accessible local government, ensuring political rights, and cooperation to those in the minority makes the boundaries less scary and boundaries will be less like the wall….A federal unit should not have a population of more than 50% of the same group, this will lead to conflict because one group will then be stronger than the other one.”
3. The existing problems in Terai-Madhesh are not only political, whereas multifaceted problems i.e. social, economic, cultural and lingual aspects. These are to be addressed accordingly. Almost Terai centric Parties have tied lipped regarding the several bestial behaviors tolerated by women, Dalit and excluded or marginalized communities. Such situation should be ended by any means.
4. Terai centric Parties are sole responsible to play the role of change agent for their respective constituent societies. They are game-changers too. But Voters have an enduring question remain unanswered; Leaders of Terai-centric parties do advocate for Madheshi Unity, but why they formed so many parties for common goal ? Why they do frequently split at the cost of Madheshi Unity? They are responsible themselves for weakening the Madheshi agenda.
5. Budget allocation to the districts of Terai-Madhesh should be on the basis of population, its density and Human Development Index (HDI), instead of geographical unit basis. According to the HDI-2018, Rautahat and Mahottari districts for example are enlisted in 10 most backward districts of Nepal.
6. Solve the citizenship problem and eliminate the statelessness of the citizens.
7. The National Terai-Madhesh Commission should have the responsibility to create an environment for coexistence, social understanding, inter-communal harmony and everlasting peace; so that anti-social element may not rear the ugly head and jeopardize.
8. Local Government should mitigate various anomalies and problems, that are clutching to the common people.