Thursday, February 01, 2007

Nonviolent Madhesi Movement For Equality Or Violent Ethnic Riot


I have never believed in violent political methods, nor do I today in the heat of the Madhesi Movement. But I do preach nonviolent militancy. I do preach major street action. I do preach the concept of a continuous movement for something like a democracy movement, like in April 2006 in Nepal, or a civil rights movement, like the Madhesi Movement, the Maghe Kranti, going on now. You have a few basic demands, and you shut the country down until those demands are met.

I played a major role in pushing the concept of a continuous movement for the democracy movement in Nepal for 15 months, and all my efforts are well documented in the archives of my blog at Madhesi.net. What ended up happening was much bigger than what I had envisioned, what anyone had envisioned, but otherwise the political leaders now in power kept thinking in terms of a mass meeting here, a mass meeting there, a rally here, a rally there, a Nepal Band here, a Nepal Band there. The most they would go for would be a Band that lasted a few days. Even the April Revolution started with a four day Band.

I have compared the April Revolution to the physical universe. There was no center. It was a global effort, and the primary credit goes to all those who actually braved the streets.

I see this Madhesi Movement as the second chapter of the April Revolution. It has the look and the feel and the tempo of the April Revolution in all ways. To me the goal of this movement - total equality for the Madhesi - is as clear as was the goal of the April Revolution: democracy and human rights. The Janajatis also have been warming up. The Madhesh has been totally shut down like Nepal was shut down in April. Martyrs are being produced at the rate of one a day like in April. The king kept calling for dialogue, Girija is doing the same. The royalists back then warned of Maoist infiltration. Today the Pahadi Bahuns are warning of royalist and Hindu supremacist infiltration. Only this time around the global media has been very slow coming.

As a Madhesi, I have been waiting for this movement all my life. This movement has helped me ditch my proposed three state federalism - Koshi, Gandaki, Karnali - and go for a Madhesh state, a Kirat state, a Newa state, and the like. The contours of this movement have drawn the boundaries of the future Madhesh state. I have been blunt in terms of openly thinking in terms of a separate Madhesh country in response to the Pahadi Bahuns in power thinking aloud possibilities of sending in the military. But I hope that is just saber rattling on both parts, for I am someone wedded to the idea in the long term of a South Asian economic union. The global trend is integration and globalization, not disintegration.

Yes, there has been violence. But that violence has been one of state terror. Nonviolent Madhesi protestors have been killed. There is talk one policeman was killed, and that is wrong, but the Jwala Singh faction of the Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM) has taken responsibility for that. The Madhesi Janadhikar Forum need not take responsibility for the JTMM any more than the Congress or the UML need take responsibility for the Maoists.

There have been some other acts of violence too. There have been retaliatory acts of arson in response to the Nepalgunj riots. And all that has been wrong and unnecessary. But then was the April Revolution neat and clean? Hardly. It is hard for a powerless people to get organized. That is why the Madhesi Movement has been so long in surfacing. Those who have been the reason for the Madhesi powerlessness are the ones who have been complaining the Madhesi Movement is not super well organized.

People like Upendra Yadav and Jay Prakash Gupta have been on my mailing list, the largest Nepali mailing list in the world, forever. I was on the phone with Rajendra Mahato and Anil Jha recently. Recently I sent out a private webpage of close to a hundred Madhesi leaders in Nepal of nearly that many organizations to the Madhesis in America for phone banking purposes to express moral support. I have had Madhesis in London and Toronto chat with me online. We ended up launching Madhesi International.

The basic demands have to be met. That is what will get the people off the streets. There is no other way now, there was no other way in April.

Democracy is one person, one vote. Anything else is hypocricy. And so all 205 constituencies have to be of equal population. Half of Nepal lives in the Terai, so 103 of the 205 constituencies have to be in the Terai. That is the most fundamental demand. Without that the constituent assembly elections will not be allowed to take place since such elections will be farcical like the king's municipality elections.

Federalism has to be given now. Girija asking for three years to give federalism is no different from the king asking for three years to give democracy. We already have a map, the Maoist map. The Madhesi like it, the Janajati like it, let's go for it.

Denial of citizenship papers is violation of human rights that the Pahadi human rights organizations don't talk about, the Pahadi media does not much write about. 10 years ago a Congress government put the number at 42 lakh. Today Krishna Sitaula wants to cap it at 33 lakh. That is not going to fly. All those who were six years old 10 years ago in a country where 40% of the people are less than 14 years old must have become eligible. I am guessing the number at 60 lakh.

And Krishna Sitaula has to resign. All those killed by his police have to be declared martyrs by the state. That would be the starting point of a political resolution, or a Madhesh Band is as good as a Nepal Band and it will continue indefinitely.

This Madhesi Movement has been issue based and has invited the Janajati and the Dalit in. There is plenty of room for progressive Bahun Chhetri men also in this movement.

The Madhesi Movement is like the civil rights movement in America in the 1960s. The success of that movement did not make the whites less well off. It was good for all. Similarly DaMaJaMa equality in Nepal will not diminish the Bahun Chhetri men. Spreading democracy and social justice is kind of like creating wealth. You grow the pie. It is not a zero sum game. Many whites marched with blacks in the US in the 1960s.

King's 3 Years, Girija's 3 Years: Not Happening
Sukhdev Shah: Terai’s Fate—Looking Within!
Pahadi Bias Colors Global Media
Butchers, Stop The Killing, You Will Get Tried
Action Plan: 5 + 5
Gyane In April: 3 Speeches, Girija In Magh: How Many?
सत्ताधारी सात पहाडी पार्टीको घैंटोमा अझै घाम लागेको छैन
Girija Koirala: Address To The Nation: Madhesi Movement Partial Victory
The Movement Will Not Stop, It Will Go To Step 2
Dragonfly Without A Wing Loses Hearing Capacity
सरिता गिरी: अशान्त मधेस, नया नेपाल
Hamro Nepal Press Release: Only A Political Outlet To The Madhesi Movement
माघे क्रान्ित, राजावादी र िहन्दु कट्टरपन्थीबारे
The Maoist Map Is A Pretty Good Map
Kamal Thapa Should Be Arrested, But Not For The Madhesi Movement
Madhesi Movement Invites The Dalit, The Janajati, The Mahila
The Ball Is In Girija's Court: A Response To Pramod Kantha
Gagan Thapa On The Terai

In The News

Awakening Ethnic Identity and Freedom NepalNews
The Interim Constitution; the Madhesi Turmoil
PM's statement hasn't addressed Madhesi people's demands: NSP-A "The statement (PM's) couldn’t totally address the demands of our party and the voice of Madhesi people," Rajendra Mahato, general secretary of the party told Kantipur Television after the party's central committee meeting. The party has been advocating the proportional electoral system and distribution of the election constituencies on the basis of population. Mahato also said that the Terai region should get half of the total election constituencies across the country. ...... Girija Prasad Koirala .. expressed commitment to opt for a federal system of governance and add more electoral constituencies to Terai and other districts in proportion to the growth in population.
PM's statement insufficient: Prachanda
3 protesters killed in Inaruwa
Terai agitation continues unabated; curfew in Biratnagar, Chanranigahpur The eastern and mid Terai region where life has been disrupted severely for the last two weeks owing to the ongoing protests, though showed signs of normalcy yesterday, could not retain it for long. ..... The four-hour relaxation in curfew order saw a huge number of people thronging the marketplaces to buy essential daily goods. ...... Demonstrators on Wednesday night torched UML's Tulsi Lal Memorial conference hall at Garuda. ..... Madhesi Rastriya Mukti Morcha, a CPN-Maoist affiliate, began demonstrations since morning labeling the prime minister's address and appeal a "dodge". ...... Lahan, the epicenter of the eastern Terai agitation, that has been seeing agitation and demonstration for the last 14 days in a row, has not been able to breathe again. ..... more than a dozen buses bound for Kakarvitta from Kathmandu have been stranded at Bardibas of Mahottari. The protesters obstructed vehicular movement at Dhalkebar, Dhanusa Wednesday night forcing more than 350 passengers traveling to eastern Nepal to remain stranded in the middle of the highway. ..... Jaleshwor, Mahottari too has not remained untouched with the ongoing demonstrations. The demonstrators padlocked more than a dozen government offices including District Election Commission's Office, Agriculture Development Bank, Rastriya Banijya Bank among others this morning...... Kalaiya of Bara also did not show any sign of improvement today. The marketplace, schools, offices and industries remained closed.
PM's address was not as per eight parties' agreement: Prachanda the Nepal Sadbhavna Party-Anandi Devi had already lodged a note of dissent before the PM made an address and the Nepal Majdoor Kisan Party did not even participate in the meeting.
Second day of strike cripples life in eastern hilly region
Protesters storm, torch govt offices in Birgunj; curfew clamped, lifted Around 10,000 protesters earlier today gathered at the local Ghantaghar and vandalized and torched the Land Revenue Office, Office of the Controller of Auditor, Forest Office and others while marching towards the customs office. .... The demonstrators also vandalized the vehicles parked around the customs office. ..... Earlier this morning, demonstrators vandalized the Transport Office and Nepal Oil Corporation.
Amnesty International urges enquiry into Terai killings
Capital sees shortage of petroleum products
Highway robbers loot property worth Rs 1.1m from passengers around Rs 11 hundred thousand worth of jewellery, money and other personal belongings from the 15 passengers of the vehicle.
PM's address not satisfactory: MPRF Yadav said that the peaceful protests in the Terai region would continue until the fundamental demands of the Madheshi people were met. ......senior party leaders including NSP chairperson Anandi Devi Yadav and other central committee members are present in the meeting ...... The leaders have not ruled out the possibility that NSP might decide to opt out of the seven party alliance at the end of today's meeting. ...... senior leftist leader Ram Raja Prasad Singh termed the PM's address to be "unfortunate" and called it to have been "full of ill intentions". Chairman of the Nepal Janabadi Morcha, Singh in a statement today, said that the government must exhibit its generosity by fulfilling the genuine demands put forward by the agitating parties.
Jwala Singh-led JTMM takes responsibility for attack on police post three missing police officers were in their custody and added that they were being held hostage according to the Geneva Convention. ..... The protesters brutally murdered Assistant Sub Inspector Naresh Jung Karki, who was leading a 13-member police team at Buddhanagar

Visitors

1 February22:17Mercantile Communications Pvt. Ltd., Nepal
1 February22:20Mercantile Communications Pvt. Ltd., Nepal
1 February22:20Mercantile Communications Pvt. Ltd., Nepal
1 February22:47Nepal (wlink.com.np)
1 February22:55Communications and communicate, Nepal
1 February23:12Subisu Cable Net Pvt. Ltd, Nepal
1 February23:20Communications and communicate, Nepal

29 January 2007, Monday783
30 January 2007, Tuesday572
31 January 2007, Wednesday701
1 February 2007, Thursday745

King's 3 Years, Girija's 3 Years: Not Happening



The king pulled a coup and asked for three years. He was going to organize city elections within a year, and then within a year and a half of that, he was going to organize the parliamentary elections. And democracy would be back on track. What was missing in that offering? Basic democracy.

Now Girija is asking for four years. One year to digest the glow of the April Revolution. And elections will be held to an assembly where over half the people will be appointed by Pahadi Bahuns, and the other half will be elected where the Pahadi Bahuns are the ones who get to decide who gets the party tickets, and who not. That assembly will take three years to write a new constitution for the country. What is missing in the offering? Basic democracy. Social justice.

Democracy is one person, one vote. Anything else is a deviation.

The basic demand of the Madhesi Movement is that the 205 constituencies be drawn based on equal population. That is what makes the Madhesi Movement a movement for democracy.

African Americans started out in America as less than human. A white man was one peson. But a black person was not counted as one person. A black person was only counted as one third a person. This was in 1776.

The Pahadis want to do the same thing to the Madhesi in Nepal. Nepal is being born for the first time. In that Nepal, the Pahadis do not want the Madhesis to be counted as full human beings.

If 5,000 Pahadis can make for one constituency, and there are 200,000 Madhesis in another, you are saying that 40 Madhesis count for the same as one Pahadi. That is worse than where even the blacks started out in America in terms of a headcount.

That is not happening.

Meet the basic demands now.

Meet The Demands, Then There Will Be Dialogue

The Madhesi Movement will not stop until the basic demands are met.

Action Plan: 5 + 5
Gyane In April: 3 Speeches, Girija In Magh: How Many?

Upendra Yadav: Deputy Prime Minister

After the demands are met, there will be dialogue. Upendra Yadav is going to be Deputy Prime Minister in the interim government. And that interim government is going to take the country to constituent assembly elections.

Sukhdev Shah: Terai’s Fate—Looking Within!
Pahadi Bias Colors Global Media
Butchers, Stop The Killing, You Will Get Tried

Inbox 6
Inbox 5
Inbox 4
Inbox 3
Inbox 2
Inbox

In The News

Minister Thakur to Hold Talks with Agitating Groups Himalayan Times The government on Thursday appointed Minister for Agriculture and Cooperative Mahantha Thakur convener for holding talks with the Madhesi agitating groups. Government sources said members of the talks team would be appointed by Friday's cabinet meeting upon consultation with the parties in the government.
CPN-UML Seeks Eight-Party Meet on Terai Crisis The CPN-UML on Thursday urged the eight political parties to take measures to restore peace by addressing demands of a federal system of governance and proportional representation in election. The CPN-UML standing committee meeting, chaired by general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal, called for holding meeting of the eight parties to fully address the demands. The meeting also stressed the need to call the meeting of the interim legislative parliament to discuss the demands. The party also urged the government to implement the Rayamajhi commission's report and take action against those who suppressed the movement.

Amnesty, HRW concerned over Nepal rights violation Daily Times, Pakistan Amnesty International said on Thursday it was “gravely concerned” by the outbreak of violence in Nepal’s southern plains and urged Kathmandu to punish security forces if they are found guilty of rights violations. ...... Amnesty said many of the dead were believed to be victims of police shooting and urged “a prompt, independent, impartial and thorough investigation”. ...... “Wherever there is sufficient evidence, prosecute anyone suspected of human rights abuses in proceedings that fully respect international fair trial standards,” the group said. ........ It was concerned police were using excessive force. ...... The Madhesis complain of widespread discrimination, including under-representation in parliament, political parties, army and the police, despite being the majority in an area home to almost half Nepal’s 26 million people. ...... The group has been leading protests in south and southeast Nepal since Jan. 19 that have left at least 11 people dead and crippled daily life in the area.
Nepal Maoists warn peace process in danger Radio Australia, Australia Maoists in Nepal have threatened to launch street protests if the government delays this year's assembly elections. .... Maoist chief Prachanda has accused the government of trying to delay the elections.

सत्ताधारी सात पहाडी पार्टीको घैंटोमा अझै घाम लागेको छैन
सरिता गिरी: अशान्त मधेस, नया नेपाल
माघे क्रान्ित, राजावादी र िहन्दु कट्टरपन्थीबारे
डटे रहो
शान्ित वार्ता क्या, िवजय घोषणा करो
बराबर जनसंख्याबाला २०५ सीट
मधेश जल रही है
िफर से कह दो एक बार इन्िकलाब
पहाडी मधेशी दंगा, मधेशी जनजाित गठबंधन, र िनर्णायक, अिहंसात्मक अन्ितम अान्दोलनको खाँचो
सद्भावना रोडम्याप
नेपालमा दमजम अान्दोलनको अावश्यकता
नेपालमा संसारको नम्बर एक लोकतन्त्रको स्थापना हुन सक्छ
राजतन्त्र, बाहुनवाद र भर्ष्टाचार समाप्त पारौं
राजतन्त्र, बाहुनवाद र भर्ष्टाचार समाप्त पारौं
प्रस्तािवत संिवधान

On The Web

African-American Civil Rights Movement (1955-1968) - Wikipedia ...
Civil rights movement - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Civil Rights Movement Timeline
U.S. Civil Rights Movement in the Yahoo! Directory
African American Odyssey: The Civil Rights Era (Part 1)
Timeline of the American Civil Rights Movement
CNN -The Civil Rights Movement
USA History: Civil Rights Movement
We Shall Overcome; Historic Places of the Civil Rights Movement ...
Key Events in the American Civil Rights Movement
The Civil Rights Movement--U.S. History lesson plan (grades 6-8 ...
Civil Rights Movement in America - United States Civil Rights Movement
KODAK: Powerful Days in Black and White
Civil Rights Movement in the United States - MSN Encarta
American Civil Rights Movement: Information from Answers.com
WebQuest: Protest Songs in the U.S.: Civil Rights and the Anti-War ...
African American World . Timeline | PBS
Lewis Walker Institute - Civil and Human Rights
Chicano! A History of the Mexican American Civil Rights Movement.
U.S. History - Civil Rights Movement
Google Directory - Society > History > By Region > North America ...
civil rights: Civil Rights in the United States — Infoplease.com
Mexican American Civil Rights Movement
African American Collection
Civil Rights Movement Timeline
Reference.com/Encyclopedia/American Civil Rights Movement (1955-1968)

Sukhdev Shah: Terai’s Fate—Looking Within!


January 31, 2007
Contribution to Terai debate

Terai’s Fate—Looking Within!

By
Sukhdev Shah

I recall my conversation, at a social gathering in Hawaii in 1984, with Mr. Harkha Bahadur Gurung —many times Minister in the Panchayat Government and a staunch supporter of the Terai resettlement program in the 1980s which oversaw government-financed transfer of hill population to the Terai region. I asked him why the national leaders like him were not in favor of giving fair treatment and equal rights to people from Terai, who are known as Madhesis outside the terai region of Nepal?.

Without hesitation, Mr. Gurung replied: You are a conquered people. And, as you may know, conquered people have got no rights!

I myself being a Teraian or a Madhesi, felt insulted and hurt but, nonetheless, respected his remarks--for its honesty and him telling me succinctly why Madhesis are considered second-class citizens or non-citizens, for that matter.

Historically, Mr. Gurung is every bit correct. Nepal Terai (low-lands of Nepal), squeezed between the spreading Mogul—and later, British—power from the northern plains of India to the south, and the ambitious mountain warlords from Nepal’s north (the likes of Prithvi Narayn Shah in the mid-eighteenth century), turned out to be almost an effortless possession for anyone with guns.

Conquest and possession of the Tarai region by the mountain Kings of Nepal—Prithvi Narayan Shah being the last in this chain---became a fait accompli given the primitive culture and submissive behavior of the native population, not used to uniting and opposing foreign intruders and invaders!

True to its status of being a backwater territory, the Terai region of Nepal has remained a forgotten entity, existing just on the map of the country, and the Terai population residing there counted for nothing other than for making Nepal look a respectful-size domain.

Beyond the geographical facts such as the above, Nepal Terai has existed for almost nothing else. This is indicted by the extent of participation—or the absence of it--by the Terai population in the normal affairs of the country—participation in government, politics, security and defense services, foreign representation, and the modernized sectors of the economy.

In a paper I presented in 2001 to the diplomatic corps based in Washington DC--Nepal’s Politics of Exclusion—I gave some examples of the total oblivion of Nepal Terai from international consciousness. During my more than thirty years of residence in Washington DC, not even a clerk—much less an Ambassador—has been a Terai native at the Nepal Embassy; not even a single individual--out of half-a-dozen delegates coming annually from Nepal to attend the IMF-World Bank annual meetings--has been a Teraian; and, of the 20,000 plus Nepali-origin residents of the DC area, no more than a handful were native Teraians.

Who is to Blame?

The sad truth about the exclusion of terai population from the mainstream of Nepalese politics and economics—and, in fact, from everything that makes up Nepal as seen from the country’s image projected overseas—is that it is not the outcome of a conspiracy or
evil design schemed by the pahari population for domination and exploitation of the region. As noted above, Terai’s current predicament—call it neglect, exclusion, exploitation, dominance—is due, in part, to the outcome of the history and, part, the weakness of Terai’s social environment and culture that encourage divisions in place of unity; oppression and subjugation of its subclasses, not their defense and acceptance; and submits and tolerates the worst form of abuse perpetrated by its “alien occupiers.”

Expanding on the theme of the last point: where was the Janakpur population—quarter of a million strong—when, in the early 1980s, Dr. Laxmi Narayan Jha, a peaceful advocate for Terai’s rights, was lifted from his house in the broad daylight in mid-town Janakpur by the Pahadi military, with thousands of men and women witnessing the event? Reportedly, Dr. Jha disappeared without a trace—fighting for terai’s rights--and not even a murmur of protests!

Another example. Mr. Shiva Chandra Mishra of Lohapatty, in Mahottari district, had joined the resistance movement opposing the royal coup of 1960, and lived across the border in India. He occasionally visited his family in the village by crossing the border at nights. By the courtesy of one teraian informant, he was apprehended one night at his village by the pahadi military, who summarily executed him in a market place, in the plain view of thousands of on-lookers. Again, not even a hint of protest from the people Mr. Mishra was fighting for! Reportedly, the military placed round-the-clock guards at his house—not to let the family members cry for Mr. Mishra’s death!

Finally, the case of Ram Narayan Mishra of Pipara village in Mohottari district, transport minister in BP Koirala’s Government during 1959-60, who was arrested along with BP and some other Cabinet Ministers and put in Sundarijal jail. Of all the senior Congress leaders at Sundarijal jail, only Mr. Mishra did not come out alive, although he was the youngest of all those leaders in jail, and in most robust health when he went in.

Mr. Krishna Prasad (KP) Bhattarai, the ex-NC Prime Minister, told me in a conversation in early 1980s that Mr. Mishra was released alive alright but doctors at The Military Hospital made sure that his cancer is advanced to the extent that he will not be cured when released. In fact, Mr. Mishra died soon after his release.

Later information is that Mr. Mishra was slowly poisoned over months and years to ensure his early death from “natural causes.” This was so because he was perceived by The Royal Palace as a more potential threat to the Panchayat regime than even Congress, which was largely because of Mishra’s well-known stance on restoring Terai’s power and prestige in a democratic system of government.

And, as KP added in his talks with me, Mr. Mishra was the last hope for the restoration of Terai’s rightful place in a democratic Nepal. Mr. Mishra is well-remembered for his often-repeated remarks to his NC colleagues: Tum Logo ne Tearai balo ko Mauka hi Kab Diya! [You people never gave a chance to the people of Terai!]

However, the loss or extra-judicial killing of this charismatic leader did not even get noticed by the Terai population. Many had known of the unusual beatings, torture, and abuse he suffered at the hands of paharia military guards--and of his death in suspicious circumstances--but no one beyond his family members felt much for him, much less the people coming out in protests and holding rallies!

Like other heroes before him who gave their lives fighting for the Terai’s cause, Mr. Mishra’s died alone--without recognition and credit due to this Great Son of Terai!

The substance of above examples is that Tearaians virtually deserve their current fate—of neglect, exploitation, disrespect and non-recognition by the well-united, fiercely committed, and supremely proud pahadi population. Their ruling of Nepal as a masterly race and their treatment of Terai population in the most dismissive manner imaginable—to the extent of turning them into an stateless entity in the land they have lived for thousands of years—owe more to the nature and character of Terai society and much less to the vigor and zeal of the dominant pahadia class!

Fishing in the troubled water!

However, the current protests, rallies, and demonstrations for the assertion Terai’s rights, however well-deserved and justified, are being viewed—at least from a distance—as something close to opportunism, very much like fishing in the troubled water!

Already, the staunch monarchist elements of the society are trying to label Terai protests as pro-monarchy, which is a shamelessly wrong and a wicked representation of Terai’s motives and predicament underlying this movement.

Just imagine: how can the Terai population have anything to do with the monarchy when this was the principal institution the pahadi population rallied behind to subjugate, intimidate, and de-humanize Teraians--so thoroughly and over such a long period of time that rivals apatheid? Those who are behind such labeling are nothing more than the beaten of elements of the old order, trying to get hold of any reed they can find floating nearby, regardless of how unsupportive that can be!

At the same time, it can be said that the timing of the protests—coming just months after a thorough overhaul of the authoritarian regime that had blocked the liberation and salvation of terai population—can not be a benign coincidence!

With the authoritarian monarchy now fast disappearing--and, with that, the anti-Terai infrastructure of pahadia state substantially weakened-- some time should have been allowed for the dust to settle down. Instead, the terai leaders and people should have opted to utilize the new opportunities--through the exercise of their democratic rights--to assert Terai’s rightful place in the new structure of the State.

One way of righting the wrong--and creating a just environment to address the long-held grievances of Terai people against the pahadia state-- would be the street protests and demonstrations, as is happening currently. Another would be to unite the natives through peaceful means--educate them to assert their claims at the ballot box.

Given the choice of the second option, I would favor a staunchly pro-ethnic Terai agenda—ethnic terai people will not vote for an ethnic pahadi candidate in all the Terai districts. This would have deprived party greats like Girija Prasad Koirala and Madhav Kumar Nepal from winning seats from anywhere in the Terai region. With ethnic Teraians making up over 40 percent of the country’s electorate, Terai can claim at least that much percent of parliamentary seats. With this kind of solidarity shown by Terai population--in the exercise of their democratic rights--Terai’s rightful place in the overall make up a New Nepal could be restored almost overnight.

I have nothing against the great party leaders of the likes of GP Koirala and Madhav Nepal, to deny their place in Terai politics—except for the reason that they are not ethic Teraians. However great they may be otherwise, the ethnic pahadia leaders cannot fathom the ethos, the sufferings, the neglect, the exclusion, and the sheer fact of hopelessness that ethnic Teraians feel in exercising their lawful rights as citizens.

If the pahadi leaders with their Terai base would have shared the sufferings of Terai people even a bit, Terai and Nepal would been a more democratic, more just, and more prosperous a society than it is today.

However, the fact is that Terai’s status has deteriorated under their very watch and ethnic Teraians are no more of a citizen now than they were under the Rana and panchayat regimes. From most accounts, it has gotten worse.

Such an outcome is not surprising, for the reason that Terai population cannot unite, which can help them escape servitude and the sub-class status that has been their lot for generations. Even if one looks at the current protests for Terai’s rights in a sympathetic manner--and wishes the protests to succeed--it is unlikely that the old habits would change and gains from this movement would be long-lasting.

This is so because a race or an ethnic group used to servitude and domination can hardly be counted on to safeguard their rights and freedoms—however painfully acquired. My guess would be that, after the initial storms have passed, most Teraians would align themselves with pahadias to undermine each other, and invite the outsiders to fill the gap. Otherwise, how was it possible that a pahadia candidate would win in a free and fair election in places over 90 percent populated by ethnic Teraians?

Sukhdev Shah
The University of The South Pacific
School of Economics, SSED 257, Suva, Fiji Islands
Phone: (679) 323-2547 (office); (679) 332-1901:
Fax: (679) 323-2522; E-mail: shah_s@usp.ac.fj

***************
I can't believe I have an email from you

As a small kid I grew up hearing your name, and you were an inspiration to try and come over to the US! We should stay in touch. Please write in support of the Madhesi Movement as often as possible. Now is the time. Loha garam hai, hathauda marna hai.

You gave a lecture on the topic at TU, Kirtipur, some time in 1994-95, maybe 96. I was there in the audience. You said blacks in DC are better off than Madhesis in Nepal.

:-)

February 2, 2007

Dear PK Bhagat ji:

Greetings from Suva, Fiji Islands, and I truly appreciate your time and efforts given for the Terai cause. I am currently outside USA but be back there in some months. I hope Terai movement get the due amount of support from overseas diapora.

I am attaching a write up on Terai situation. If you can, please place this on the Terai website and see if this can be published in print.

Kind regards,

Sukhdev Shah
Fiji Islands

Attached file:

Inbox 6

paramendra:

thanks, will do... and also telling arun venugopal of sajaforum.org...

cheers, sree

done.

cheers, sree

how have you been (i get a hint from your blogs. hehe). Figure this is as good a time to catch up as any.

Man, things are starting to get bad in Nepal hai. But do you think this issue could have been raised in the HoR or CA? I think the Maos had a lot of good ideas in their movement (rights, equality, etc), but wasn't it the violence that sort of became its ugly burden? And when the Madhesi minister resigned from the interim government because of this movement, wasn't that a loss to the movement?

I do completely believe the south needs to be given what it deserves, it has been obviously cheated for far too long. But just the violence- on any front- is not a good development... civil, state, rebels,... and whatever forces there might be. Do you think violence will lead this movement somehwere, or detach it from the real cause like what happened in the not so distant past with the Maos...?

Your forecast was rather bleak and dark (seperated countires with no diplomatic ties..hehe), hopefully it won't get that far. What in your view must be done to stop this maddness (the violenece, not the demands)..? (non blog answer hai.. hehe. )

You know, it was a pity 2 (or 3) people had to die (again!) yesterday in Inarwa (my mama ghar), but then did the police post need to be attacked since the police was staying dormant at the time? And equally sad was the stabbing to death the Asst. Inspector in Biratnagar, not too far away from Inarwa. violence.. leads to violence... leands to more violence. And in the end, the solution has to be met politically and democratically. So why not inch towards that to begin with?

let me know your thoughts, un- blogged ;)

Paramendra dai:

I am at your full disposal and in complete solidarity with you. If there's anything you need from me, just let me know.

I'm really pissed about this notion of double standards.


Yes ... you are right.

These pahadias have done enough.

Lokendra


I would like to unsubscribe from this list....


Hi Paramendra,

Could you kindly take my name off your e-mailing list. I have no idea
how you ever got my email address. Please note that your articles have
been flooding my mailbox and none of it is ever being read.

Regards,

Karma Tenzing


Dear All,
I don't know whether Gore Bahadur Khapangi Magar is/was a 'low caste' leader or not but he worked hard for the cause of Janajatis or suppressed peoples, however, King Gyanendra used him badly.
You may read more in the message forwarded below.
Thanks,


I have sent many emails asking to be removed...and nothing happens
except another email from you. please delete above address and


Dear Pushkar Sir,

Thanks for attachment.

Here,the situation is going day by day out of control of socalled Madeshi Janadhikar Forum.

Hope it will be managed by 8 Party allies.

Rest is as usual.

With Kind regard

Kiran


To,

The Secretary-General of the United Nations,

The Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union

Through,

Rt. Honorable Angela Merkel
(German Chancellor)
Federal Republic of Germany

Memorandum for the Worsening Ethnic Conflict Situation in Madhesh/Tarai Region of Nepal

Honorable,

I would like to draw your sincere attention about the emerged on going serious ethnic conflict in Nepal. At present, the Madhesh part of Nepal is in a chaotic situation. The prevailing unrest has begun since December 26 2006. Now the situation is turned into a kind of Ethnic Arm Conflict. I would be very sad to inform you that the major part of Madhesh is like a battlefield. The whole region is shutdown, terrified, bandh, incident of murders and killing, vandalism, arson attacks, street battles, counter attack, arrests, curfews, offices and all business are on halt, and beyond the law and order.

The major movement leading groups belong from Madhesi community who represent from multiparty, multiethnic, multireligions multi-casts, multilingual, multi-geographical and so on. They all demand on equal treatment regarding issues such as caste, religion, or any others social, political, economic values.

The Madhesh governs more than 20 districts of Nepal where approximately 14 millions (apx 50% of Nepalese population) live in this region. Except the Madhesi ethnic groups, other scheduled and deprived group have been also supporting and expressing their solidarity on this the movement and asking government to fulfill the similar demands. These demonstrating groups have been claiming that they are extremely discriminated, far away from national mainstreaming, dishonored, excluded and ignored in state affairs and treated as 2nd class citizen even they have apx 50% total population and major charming land and national ornaments of Nepal.

Within the 3 weeks massive demonstration and protest, people killed; hijacked, factories and markets closed, plenty people badly wounded, few hundreds arrested and few billions dollars of properties destroyed and millions of financial losses attempted in few weeks only. The situation is going to be exclusively worsening and turning into arm violent, which is more than terrible. Peoples lives are in catastrophe and nation are about to ready to hubbub ethnic, and political explosion. There is no proper existence of human rights, press, law and order and social harmony. Therefore, the lives of Terrain are in disaster and burning here and there.

The major demands of the ongoing demonstrations can be concluded as follows which seems very rational and legitimate too. The all political parties, Government and leaders have been expressing personally and political positive attitude and use to give their public speech in favor of the ongoing movement’s demands. However, in practice, state and political parties unfortunately have not been able to address it properly. For this reason, demonstrators and its allied are not convinced, and they doubted on state and political party’s statement and their intentions.

The major of goals of the ongoing movement are to have immediate provision and legal arrangement through constitution
For their natural rights to self-determination, proportional representation in the constituent assembly, restructuring the constituencies based on population, federal system with regional autonomy, legitimate positive discrimination in state mechanism and elimination of all forms of discrimination practiced by the State mechanism. They people also argued that the state mechanism and its rulers have secluded them since last 238 years and their value, as dignified citizen has been shattered.

Therefore, I humbly request to all concerned international community to take immediate action through appropriate diplomatic approaches and effective channel for peaceful settlement of the all-booming ethnic conflict in my beloved country Nepal. I hope your kind help and consideration. Thank you.

CC To,

I humbly request you to all, kindly take a suitable serious action to resolve the problem that will help to prevent the booming destructive ethnic conflict.

* Rt. Honorable: Head of the States/ Governments: All UN Member States:

* Honorable: All Embassies and Diplomatic Missions in Kathmandu, Nepal

* Honorable; All Concerned International Organizations and Communities

Sincerely yours’
Krishna Hari Pushkar 1 February 2007
mrpushkar@yahoo. com Now: Magdeburg, Germany
Suga: 4, Mahottari, Nepal


Dear Paramendra,
I am one of the regular visitor of your blog (http://demrepubnepal.blogspot.com/2007/02/butchers-stop-killing-you-will-get.html). I appreciate your efforts to updating the blog regularly.
The issues of the Tarai are very much relevant to raise. I completely support the peaceful demonestration in the Tarai region. I am also from the same region. I am very much concern about the using the state forced towards the peaceful protest in the Tarai. In addition, the Maoists are also not in positive about the issues raised by the MJF. It indicates that the struggle has to be continue for the long time.
I feel some uncomfortable on the picture you loaded in your blog. I think we have to be more creatinve to prome the non-violent active protest. It may sound more idealistic. However, as educator and activists, if we fail to believe in the protest and non-violent movement then certainly we are going loose our mission and vision of the peaceful Nepal or world. I found those picture you loaded, will not help the general people to going towards the peaceful movement at all.
This is my observation on your blog.
Regards,
Som

Dear all:

Attached is the status of collection of fund raised by ANTA to help victims of recent Terai unrest. If you or your friends like to donate for this cause, please send your donation as soon as possible. Just as a reminder, ANTA is a Tax exempt organization and hence your donation could be tax exempt.

Please make your check payable to “ANTA”

In memo, please write down “For Victims of Terai Unrest”

Please mail your check to:

Lalit Jha
Treasurer, ANTA
P O Box: 242
Wahoo, NE 68066

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to write to any of the ANTA’s executive members. We really appreciate your time and consideration to this important cause.

Sincerely,

Lalit Jha

Treasurer, ANTA

www.terai.org

Collection

A B C D E F
1
2 ANTA - FUNDS FOR VICTIMS OF TERAI UNREST
3
4 Donor's Name Amount Remarks Check# Date Rcd. Amt Rcd.
5 Dr. Binod Shah $251 Pledged
6 Dr. Ram N. Sah $500 Pledged
7 Ratan Jha $151 Pledged
8 Dr. Pramod K. Kantha $50 Pledged
9 Ritesh & Bindu Chaudhary $100 Pledged
10 Lalit Jha $101 Pledged
11 Roger Adhikary $100 Pledged
12 Mukesh Singh $100 Pledged
13 Dr. Upendra Karna $100 Pledged
14 Dr. Subhod Mallik $200 Pledged
15 Dr. Satish Mallik $200 Pledged
16 Jay P. Mandal $108 Pledged
17 Trib Chaudhary Pledged
18 Dr. Sukhdeo Shah Pledged
19 Rakesh Mishra Pledged
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33 CLLECTION CLOSED
34 Total Pledged $1,961 Total Received ****

request janabidorha daily ko
Paramendra Kumar Bhagat bro.thanks
Thanks mr. Paramendra Bhagat !
for your article to janabidroha daily.
i rad this docu.
but i did not download.
yo type himculi font. than i success dowlnload.
ok .

Dear sir,

namaste!

I am Manoj shah from radio nepal,I am selected for the short training in
washington d.c.My process is in progress.you have to help there when I will
come .Because I am unknown for there ,plz send your address,phone no.plz.
thank you.
manoj

Please help me unsubscribe ....

Dear all
Please find the attachment.
Regards
Ratan
for
JFHR

Dear Pushkarji,
Namaskar.
Congratulate for your noble initiative for drawing the attention of international community towards the ongoing unrest in the Terai. But I don't agree with you in the idea that it is an 'ethnic conflict', and conflict of culture. I believe that there are many people of 'pahade' origin living in the terai who have been excluded from the mainstream politics. They have been the victim of exclusion throughout the Nepalese history. In this context, I suggest you to name it as only the conflict in the terai but not as the the ethnic conflict. Any way, I agree with your initiative.
Yours Sincerely,
Ramkaji Khadka
Kathmandu

Remarks from Pushkar: I respect your suggessions.Thank you. __


Excellent! I agree. Just had lunch with 2 Yadav students. Add them. Thanks.
Brian


Hi,

I do not want message from you- Paramendra..... Plz DO NOT SEND ANYTHING IN
MY eMAIL ANMORE. I am tired. I can get updated through various means if i
wish.

thanks,

Dear Paramendra jee,
हामी ग्रुप मेम्बरहरुले यस dfn-blog@googlegroups.com मा mail post गर्न सकिदैन?
प्लिज मलाई प्रमिसन दिन मिल्छ कि?
rajendr bishwakarma
www.dalitblog.tk

February 2, 2007

Dear PK Bhagat ji:

Greetings from Suva, Fiji Islands, and I truly appreciate your time and efforts given for the
Terai cause. I am currently outside USA but be back there in some months. I hope Terai
movement get the due amount of support from overseas diapora.

I am attaching a write up on Terai situation. If you can, please place this on the Terai website
and see if this can be published in print.

Kind regards,

Sukhdev Shah
Fiji Islands

Attached file:

Yeh Danka

tero bauko pewa ho nepal ? Maile talai hijo pani mero mailma napas bhaneko hoina ? Maile hijai mail lekheko talai . Nepal sarkar ra maobadi napase tan jasta bharatiya dalala kutta madeh pasera des bachaunchha ?

Mero mail tero list bata hata. Mero anurodh chha tanlai . Malai tero kura sunne samaya chaina.
bharatiya dalala murdabad.


Are you ever gonna stop sending this crap? Where did you get my email? Have I ever authorized you to spam me?

Nirmal Shrestha


I think you are required to lead the ongoing ANDOLAN..
I am not satisfied with yesterday's address of GP K.
But again i repeat, ppl have gone far from their demands n have started the communal riot...
God bless our nation!!


Dear Friends:
Please publish as and if you deem fit.

Sincerely,
Pramod Dhakal
--------------------------
Executive Director
Canada Forum for Nepal
(www.cffn.ca info@cffn.ca)
Ottawa, Canada
+1-613-596-6692
pdhakal@gmail.com

Road to Fair Representation: Ethnic Identity and Freedom
Dr Pramod Dhakal



The events unfolding in Eastern Terai in recent times have brought into our consciousness the fact that Nepal is boiling under a crisis that is looming along a blurred line of struggle for freedom and struggle for ethnic clarity. This blur has made it difficult for ordinary mortals like me to figure out what is what. This is painful predicament for people who stand for universal equality of all humans and harmony in the world. When emotions and passions rule over reasoning, and aspirations of people take wrong turn to put “me” against “you” among the oppressed masses, solvable problems become unsolvable ones. It has, therefore, become important for every conscious observer of Nepal to pause a bit and think of solutions that are compassionate, fair, insightful and lasting.
A handful of visionless and uncompassionate rulers and their henchmen were ruling Nepal for centuries by keeping the population at large in illiterate, poor, subdued and powerless state. It was next to impossible for the people who were living in perpetual indignity and neglects to experience some catalytic events that sore up their self esteem, confidence, emotions and passions – the manifestations of primary energy of humans which bring changes of profound scale. The changes of Nepal that gradually unfolded after 1990, and especially during the 10 years of war, brought a heightened awareness among its previously neglected populace. Every belittled human started to figure out that he/she is somebody like every other human and no one could ever dwarf his/her potentials through continuation of unjust practices of history.
This awakening of humans is a tremendous blessing for a society that is in a dire need of transformation. This awakening allows the people in power to take huge and bold steps that they could never have taken in the past. Also, it allows them to correct the injustices of centuries in a timeframe of a decade, and releases a fresh energy required to fuel the endeavors of prosperity. Having said so, the same awakening can also turn into a curse if regressive elements become successful in steering it away from the struggle for freedom and turn into a struggle for ethnic fiefdom. Previously oppressed people who are in the process of awakening have only realized that the wrong was wrong but are just entering into an uncharted journey in search of that illusive goal of fairness and justice! They are willing to demonstrate their pain in a hope that that someone enlightened will show them the light! However, who is going to show them that light?
The answer to this lies on one thing and that is trust. Whoever can gain the trust of the awakened people will be able to steer them to the destiny of his/her choice. It is not difficult to assume that if the trust were to fall on the hands of oppressors, landlords, and the fiefs, the aftermath of the struggle for the people would be no liberation. A challenge has, therefore, emerged in front of all those who stand for human freedom and to those who can expend their intellectual dexterity beyond protest and into a delightful world of serenity and compassion. We are not required to be compassionate to those who are knowingly exploiting the people’s awakening for unethical gains. But we must open our hearts to all those who are awakened with pure sincerity. It would be important to emphasize that others will trust us only if we prove to be trustworthy to them and vice versa.
For the last ten years, Maoists steered many Nepali people – old, young, men, women, poor, oppressed, and controlled - towards a fight to gain dignity for the oppressed, the devolution of old feudal power base, correction of old injustices, and the construction of a fair society. They showed some of their positive mantle when they demonstrated balanced sense of representation when sending representatives in the parliament. However, they disappointed many when they could not gain proportionality and federalism in the interim constitution while compromising with the old guard leaders who thought that Nepal had a just, equitable and democratic society in 1990 itself. Maoists thought that they will fight through the interim parliament but their inability to produce result outright has now being capitalized by regressive elements.
The seven parties (with small exceptions) thought that because they had bowed to the Maoists in every other front, only big ticket item where they could demonstrate their bravado was in not agreeing on the proposal of proportionality and federalism in the interim constitution. These leaders did not yield on these points in a hope of limiting the credit that might go to the Maoists for devolving the old state structure of Nepal. However, this was nothing but a sign of attachment to the past and lack of sight for the future. Ideally, it would have been better if their sights had opened months ago, but it is better late than never; and they have an opportunity to correct their mistakes now. You do not need to do anything for Tarai. You just give what every individual of Nepal who has faced injustices from the past deserves. When a framework for upholding principle of human equality is ensured, people of all ethno-cultural identity will feel a sense of justice including those living in Tarai.
At all time, it would be foolhardy to think that most people in the protest are puppets of bad leaders. It is better to think that many people are in the protest not due to any new vision presented by an enlightened leadership but because they are awake and can see that their grievances are not addressed properly by the interim constitution. And, it is also true that some regressive and opportunistic elements have utilized this as a best opportunity the destabilize Nepal; they could not have any better opportunity for pouring ample fuel than when there is fire. That is the reason Hindu fundamentalists and royalists are working day and night to steer this situation to a wrong end.
There is some burden of responsibility on the conscious leaders of the Terai people as well. An impression is spread with great ferocity, which is glorifying separation in the same light as liberation! Although such statements inspire us and motivate us, and there are some examples in history that liberations and separations have come together, destination of any movement depends on its vision, mission, plan, policies, architecture, methodology, and system; and, on top of this, a unifying, compassionate, and visionary leadership, and a seasoned management required to deliver lasting liberty, equity, prosperity, and peace. I have not come to believe that such mature leadership is in place at the moment in the Madhesi movement. On the contrary, there is a danger for the movement to be exploited by controversial, manipulative and opportunist elements. Fundamentalist elements opposed to human equality, opposed to democracy, active to bring back the royalist regime, and perpetrators of crime are shouting as if they are bleeding for the freedom of the people of Madhesh.
We are better off by advancing strong and invigorating debates on justice, equity, democracy and a whole host of other areas required to ensure freedom and fairness for all humans – whether they are young, old, men, women, Madheshi, Pahadi, Dallit, Janajati, Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, Christian and what not. Let us attempt to build a constitution that is accommodative, that encompasses human ingenuity, and is advanced enough to be fitting to today’s connected and conscious world. If such an endeavor would prove hopeless, we could all break apart amicably at that point. Let us make a fair attempt first to build one-humanity, and, if possible, one-world!!
About the author:
Dr Pramod Dhakal is a former faculty member of Tribhuvan University and holds a Ph D in electrical engineering. He is Executive Director of Canada Forum for Nepal and lives in Canada. He can be reached at pdhakal@gmail.com
-------------------------
Pramod Dhakal, Ph D
Canada Forum for Nepal
33 Bellman Drive, Ottawa, ON K2H 8S3 Canada
pdhakal@gmail.com or 1-613-596-6692

stop sending me FUCKING email.

Dear Sir:
Please find the public address given by Aazaad on
behalf of ARIM (2007 January 31), attached with the
email. The public address is also available at

http://madhesh.com/blog/pivot/entry.php?id=55

Thank you very much.

Regards,
MADHESH.COM

Bhagat ji

Tapai manchhe natawarlal hunuhundo rahechha ra des drohi manchhe hunuhundo rahechha. Des drohiharuko kura sunera ma samaya phalna chahanna , baru yesto manchheharulai murdabad vanchhu. Hijosammako tapai mathiko biswas sakiyekole ainda mail nagarnuhola.

Des drohiharu murdabad.
Ameriki ra bharatiya chalkhel murdabad. Anuradha

Hello,

I have had never entertained your e-mail. If I want to get updated, theres plenty ways that I can choose on my own. I do- in no way- wish your e-mail anymore. Please stop it.

Thankyou

Inbox 5
Inbox 4
Inbox 3
Inbox 2
Inbox

Pahadi Bias Colors Global Media




Harvard Law School: Global Voices Online: Nepal: Madhesh Is Burning

Madhesi Movement: Write To The Media
Write To Bush, Condi Before Possible Clampdown
Nepal Needs To Be Hitting The World Headlines: Write To The Media
Op-Ed Piece Sent To The New York Times
  • This is not an ethnic riot. This a Madhesi Movement that has to be compared to the civil rights movement in the US in the 1960s. It has to be compared to Nepal's own April Revolution. This is chapter two.
  • One police officer did get killed. And that should not have happened. But the police have killed at least 13 Madhesis so far. They have injured hundreds of Madhesis. They have gone inside hospitals to beat up the injured Madhesis.
  • The Pahadi political leaders have been talking of mobilizing the army against the Madhesi.
  • The Madhesis are not descendants of Indian migrants. Madhesis are the indigenous people in the Madhesh. The history of the Madhesh goes back thousands of years. Janakpur, which is going to be the capital of the Madhesh state, was the capital of King Janak of the ancient times.
  • They do not make as much as 30% of Nepal. They make up somewhere between 40 and 50%.
  • It is not thousands who have been denied citizenship papers. The number is more like six million. Practically half of all Madhesis have been denied citizenship papers.
  • The reason is not because they could not prove Nepali nationality. The reason is Pahadi bias that sees Madhesi as not Nepali but Indian. This denial has been a structural violence on Madhesi aspirations going back decades.
  • Koirala's talk of dialogue is as misleading as King Gyanendra's was during the April Revolution. (Gyane In April: 3 Speeches, Girija In Magh: How Many?) Koirala has to fulfill the basic demands of the Madhesi Movement, and that is the only option. Or the movement will continue.
I denounce Pahadi journalists like Tilak Pokharel who mislead the world through their access to the global media houses. And I denounce the global media houses for not making the effort in this day and age of easy communication to try to get down to the bottom of facts.

Tilak Pokharel's prejudices that have fed this New York Times article prove how deep seated the anti-Madhesi prejudices are among the Pahadis of Nepal.

You are looking at 13 million Madhesis in Nepal who have waged a nonviolent struggle for equality in the land that has been inhabited by them for centuries, millenia.

My Role In The April Revolution: The Butterfly Effect
The Virus Of The April Revolution
The Matrix, Vision, Spread Democracy, Revolution

Butchers, Stop The Killing, You Will Get Tried
Action Plan: 5 + 5
Gyane In April: 3 Speeches, Girija In Magh: How Many?
Girija Koirala: Address To The Nation: Madhesi Movement Partial Victory
The Movement Will Not Stop, It Will Go To Step 2
Dragonfly Without A Wing Loses Hearing Capacity
Hamro Nepal Press Release: Only A Political Outlet To The Madhesi Movement
Madhesi Movement Invites The Dalit, The Janajati, The Mahila
Gagan Thapa On The Terai
ANTA Press Release: Stop The State Terror
Stop The Shooting, Give The Speech
Why Are The Pahadis Quiet?
Girija, Give A Speech Like Gyane Did In April
Ethnic Unrest in Southern Plains Undermines Peace Pact in Nepal
SOMINI SENGUPTA, New York Times
Published: February 1, 2007

NEW DELHI, Jan. 31 — A fragile peace was fraying in Nepal on Wednesday, as ethnic violence went on unabated on its southern plains, a police officer was hacked to death and the prime minister was prompted to call for an end to the bloodletting.

The United Nations chief envoy to Nepal has already warned that the trouble in the plains, the Terai region along the Indian border, endangered the possibility of landmark elections this summer.

The violence broke out two weeks ago when the majority people of the Terai, the Madhesis, complained about the way the voting districts had been drawn for the elections. Madhesis have long been aggrieved by the domination of Nepal’s politics by ethnic communities from the hills.

The Madhesis, descendants of migrants from India several generations ago, make up as much as 30 percent of Nepal’s population. Until late last year, thousands were denied citizenship rights because they could not prove Nepali nationality.

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala said in a televised address on Wednesday evening that he would push for Nepal to have a federal system of government, one of the Madhesis’ chief demands.

“Given my age and my health, it could very well be my last message,” said Mr. Koirala, who is 84. “I make an appeal to all to stop all strikes and agitations that have been launched in some parts of the country, and resolve the crisis through dialogue, and maintain peace and harmony in the country.”

Ten people have been killed in the last two weeks in protests over the redistricting. Several towns in the Terai have been under curfew. Blockades called by some Madhesi groups have brought several southern towns to a standstill. The police arrested three former ministers of the royalist government on Tuesday, including the onetime home minister, Kamal Thapa, accusing them of inciting violence.

By putting the planned elections in jeopardy, the troubles threaten to unravel a delicate peace deal intended to end more than a decade of Maoist conflict that has claimed an estimated 13,000 lives. Under the accord, signed in November, the Maoists joined the government and agreed to sequester their weapons under United Nations supervision.

Elections are to be held in June to choose an assembly to draft a new constitution. The outcome could decide whether Nepal’s monarchy will survive. The Maoists have made its abolition the centerpiece of their platform.

No dates have been set for the polls, which would be the first in Nepal in eight years. Ian Martin, the United Nations secretary general’s representative in Nepal, said Friday that the election schedule “can only be jeopardized if the situation in the Terai continues or escalates.”

Tilak Pokharel contributed reporting from Katmandu.

SAJA: Somini Sengupta
Somini Sengupta - The New York Times
Why Blame Somini Sengupta? « Life is a street car named Desire
AsiaMedia :: Tilak P. Pokharel
Blogger: User Profile: Tilak Pokharel

In The News

PM's statement hasn't addressed Madhesi people's demands: NSP-A Kantipur Online, Nepal
PM’s address not enough to fulfill Madhesi demands: Prachanda Nepalnews.com, Nepal
The Interim Constitution; the Madhesi Turmoil Kantipur Online, Nepal
Madhesi Activists Continue Demonstrations Himalayan Times, Nepal