Madhesh, Mistaken

Soon after Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and UCPN (Maoist) agreed on seven-province model, Bijay Kumar Gachchadar-led MJF (Democratic), a key constituent in four-party alliance, announced to hit the streets against this decision. The new model seems to have pleased agitating people of Karnali but it has hurt sentiments of Madheshis and Tharu people. It is sure to fuel more protest in Tarai. Last Tuesday, Sadbhawana Party walked out of Constituent Assembly following the death of a local from Bhardaha in Saptari. The remaining three parties from the agitating alliance—Tarai-Madhesh Democratic Party, Tarai-Madhesh Sadbhawana Party and Federal Socialist Forum—are likely to follow suit. This will put pressure on the government and major parties in the CA to heed their demands but also encourage the demonstrators. More people may be killed.

The major parties seem to have failed to understand what Madheshis really want: one or two Madhesh provinces. They have also failed to understand sentiments of Madheshi people. They are called Dhotis and Indians and accused of working as Indian agents. Such allegations are not justified. Indian Embassy through its Facebook page has made it clear that it turned down Madheshi leaders' call for support following the release of preliminary draft constitution. This is one example of how Madheshis are being misunderstood in Kathmandu. Of late, I have been following news, views and opinions on Madhesh in various media outlets since the parties floated the six-province model on August 8. Most of such views have contributed to misunderstanding of Madhesh, rather than bringing the reality to the fore. Kathmandu based media, leaders, civil society and analysts make the same mistake. Mahabir Paudyal wrote last week that Madheshis are demanding linking plain with hills while demarcating provinces (See "Hornet's nest," Republica, August 17). He cites Sarita Giri and Upendra Yadav to prove his point. It may be true that Madheshis are in favor of their province having access with China but it is not true that Madheshis are pushing for including hills in their province. The ongoing agitation for only-Madhesh province proves this. They want districts like Sunsari, Jhapa and Morang to be included in their province. What the Madheshi leaders say does not count because the agitating locals do not trust these leaders. They think the leaders cheated them by breaching past agreement on single autonomous Madhesh province. In a surprising turn, people who had earlier expressed hatred for Madhesh-based parties have started supporting Madheshi Morcha. In my conversation with some people from the region, they support the agitating parties. Their agitation is also backed by different Tharu organizations and Tharu people living in Kailali, Kanchanpur, Banke and Bardiya. Recent developments in Madhesh clearly indicate that the Madheshi parties have changed their mind and will accept two provinces—one with 12 districts to the east of Narayani River and the other with 10 districts to the west of Narayani—as a compromise solution. They are in favor of declaring the parts west to Narayani river Tharuhat-Madhesh province. Parties in the CA have failed to understand this as well. This has infuriated Madheshis even more. As a result, they have started to raise single-Madhesh province issue again. One of the reasons Kathmandu misunderstands Madhesh is because it judges Madhesh based news reports from the districts, which only offer small glimpse of the problems. Besides, national media houses have their own editorial policies and the news reports should fit the bill. The correspondents do not bother to write of true protests because such reports, they fear, will be censored in Kathmandu. So mostly, reporters from the districts write news in line with editorial policies of the papers they are associated with. Some reporters tell me that they are instructed on which angle to follow. Analysis based on such reports is unlikely to be authentic. Too many cooks spoil the broth, goes the saying. This is true in the case of Madhesh. There are 13 Madhesh-based parties raising Madheshi agenda in their own ways. Seven are represented in the CA. But they are not the only organizations to push Madhesh agenda; Madheshi leaders in the mainstream parties claim to do just that. Thus Madheshi parties, civil society leaders, analysts and various stakeholders should find a common ground to advocate Madhesh issue. An independent body consisting of various stakeholders representing Madhesh should be formed for better coordination and communication. Further misunderstanding of Madhesh will lead to more violence. Alliance of Madheshi parties and Tharuhat organizations have once again gained a foothold in their respective districts. Based on my brief survey about their grip in Tarai districts, it can be argued that their protests are intensifying and locals are supporting them. Protests have already taken violent form with deaths and vandalism occurring now and then. If the ruling parties ignore these developments, these protests could snowball into Madhesh Andolan II. It is time for the government to consult Madhesh-based civil society leaders and analysts to understand the real situation before they sit for talks with agitating parties. If major parties agree to two Madhesh provinces and retain the provision of Interim Constitution on citizenship, Madheshi parties will stop their agitation. For all this to happen, Kathmandu should first understand Madhesh for what it is.