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Nepal must Vow to defend its Nationhood

Prakash Bom - 2/22/2008

The current democratic process is about to slip away with an extremist demand of Madheshi movements. The demand at this climax is not the one as originally sought for an autonomous Terai state with the right to self-governance and right to self-determination under the federal system structures. However, it is the demand that has been convoluted wishfully beyond the norms of federalism that can violate the national integrity. The demand for an 'Autonomous Madheshi Region' literally schemes to separate itself from entire nation as if aliens such as extraterritorial other than Madheshi have ruled the region. None of the other forty one ethnic groups including dominant "Khash-Pahadi" communities must back-up from defending their existence before it makes way by dismantling Nepal's historical nationhood.

Nepali nationhood is composed of different group of people who have shared common history of an independent sovereign nation with multi ethnicity, language and culture. That is the spirit of Nepali solidarity despite the feudal oligarchic regime that kept repressing people in the name of Hindu religion and its Hindu institution of the monarchy. It does not mean a secular state with the federal democratic republic establishment won't be able to defend its nationhood. Nepalis' nationhood does not just boil down to the heritage of feudal Hindu institution of the monarchy, but it reaches out to the tools of Neolithic Kathmandu, to the teachings of Buddha, to Licchivian Buddhist culture and to the pagoda-style monastery of Arniko.

The word 'Nepal' does not derive from 'Khash-Pahadis' but from 'Newari' or 'Nepal Bhasa', one of the indigenous linguistic groups of Nepal. Therefore, to despise the word 'Nepal' or its nationhood with the odium of Khash-Pahadis, who are represented partially by feudal oligarchic establishment, (by Madheshis movements – evidences are flying literally all over - online, news media and on the streets of Nepal) – demonstrates no respect to Nepal's historical nationhood. Again Madheshis demand for an independent Madheshi statehood with regional autonomy literally meant to dismantle national solidarity that has been sustained with the mutual care of all people of Nepal if not in perfection with the teachings of Buddha – 'Learn to live together, love each other and help one another.' Defend Nepal therefore on these facts of its nationhood from being crossed into pieces at this critical juncture.

All ethnic demand for the constitutional provisions, which guarantee the establishment of federal democratic republic, full proportional representation electoral system for CA elections based on population, and federal republican state on the basis of regional and historical background of ethnicity and linguistics with the right to self-determination, must be fulfilled as long as within all federal states the local government units are formed with the right to self-determination of resident electorates of the constituencies that make an unit of a local government without central or state supremacy. These demands are legitimate and fully comply with the norms and principle of federalism. Federalism is not end to separate states from a sovereign nation but it is the means to sustainability and method for better functionality of governmental responsibility. Madheshi movements have wishfully convoluted the aspect of federalism by demanding 'an autonomous Terai state with the regional autonomy.'

What may come, SPA leaderships must defend Nepal and its historic nationhood even at the cost of CA elections that may be accomplished phase wise if it is not viable in the most violent and anti-nationhood districts of Terai. The Prime Minister's stand on Madheshi demand for 'an autonomous Terai state with the regional autonomy' that cannot be decided prior to CA elections is the most sincere, democratic and respectful remark to Nepal's nationhood that has become so fragile and anguish by the Madheshi movements and regressive elements. SPA leaderships must take the stand against that demand which conspires against Nepal's nationhood. If not, SPA will be a target of blame of such disintegration of Nation. Royalist parties' chairman like Surya Bahadur Thapa who has boycott the CA election is trying to hook-up SPA leaderships to make such blunder with his stand. Attacks upon SPA leaderships will be immense if such historic mistake is committed.

Madheshi movements' way is not the way to establish the federal democratic republic of Nepal. Because, it needs national harmony. Consensus of all people of Nepal must be sought if the demand of such as of Madheshi for 'an autonomous Terai with regional autonomy' is going to be established either prior or after CA elections. Under Madheshi intimidations if SPA leaderships make such a decision then political instability is unavoidable in defense of national integrity.

In my opinion, Madheshi movements have really punctured the prospect of federalism for Nepal. It has tried to suck all at once with the self-contradictory proposals against the norms of federalism and the dignity of Nepali nationhood. For example, the demand of the full proportional representation electoral system if approved its electoral system will make 100% representation of all ethnic groups of people who are the resident of an autonomous Terai state. If in a local unit of Terai state there are 90% Madheshi and 10% Dalit under proportional representation electoral system 10% Dalit are also represented both in local unit or state governments. Unless Madheshi have planned to create a homogenous Terai state, there are also residencies in Terai of other ethnic groups either recently migrated or aboriginal.

The red shading in the map of Nepal is an ambitiously targeted Madheshi state 'autonomous Terai with the regional autonomy.' The map is all over the internet posted by the Madheshi movements. The question here is about the 'red shading' that targets non-Madheshi districts such as Kanchanpur and Kailali, which have settlements, dominated by aboriginal Tharus and migrated Khas-Pahadis. By long shot Khas-Pahadis settlements are more in percent in entire Terai than Madheshi in these two districts.

Every thoughtful Nepali individual has supported Madheshi movement from its beginning. However, at this point with such an extremist demand for 'an autonomous Terai state with the regional autonomy' under the pressures and agitations against the national integrity has set the red alert in the hearts and minds of every Nepali who has respect for their nationhood.

In my opinion Nepal may take next twenty years democratic culture to establish units of functioning federal system of governments unlike in neighboring Bihar and Easter UP states of India. If in hurry without the consensus of people of Nepal autonomous Terai state is established the entire Terai will become "Bihar of Nepal" with state supremacy of Madheshi political parties' leaderships.

There is no question about the other demands of Madheshi such as proportional representation of ethnic and indigenous groups, dalits, women and other marginalized communities in all state organs including the police, army and civil service. However, to implement these demands nation needs a new system of governance. Thus the demand of federal system of government has become necessity. Nevertheless, this does not mean to intimidate nation for disintegration, by taking unnecessary advantage of the situation. Without people's electoral right to self-governance to form their own local government units these demands can never be implement with proportional opportunities for all to serve the nation. Anti-Nepali nationhood agitations and anti people's right to vote political tactic and intimation have no solution. It is in the end becomes anti-democratic and encourages regressive elements to take the unnecessary advantage of the situation against CA elections – people's right to vote for establishing essential institutions of democracy.