Terai grievances were never in the Maoist agenda

Shiv Kumar Mahato

Nepal Kuswaha Students’ Union

Shiv Kumar MahatoIn Nepal the main problem is whenever a pahade community start their agitation then it becomes a people’s revolt whereas, whenever the Madhesi community demand their rights peacefully it is termed as either foreign sponsored or palace sponsored. This is ridiculous and that’s where the discrimination lies. Let me explain you plainly that this revolt is executed by the Madhesis living in Madhesh- who are genuine Nepalese like you, that’s all.
 
I agree that few people representing our community are still in the main stream but minorities are always suppressed by the ruling class. I strictly believe that the present system is made by the pahades, for the pahades and to the pahades, leaving no space for the Madhesis. The main reason behind our leader’s dismal performance is the fear among them while putting forward their demands.

With all these discriminations all along the past 238 years we are still peacefully demanding an exclusive system whereby all have equal rights.

The Maoist leaders who claim to advocate the cause for the backward communities were also unable to make even-participation in the interim parliament. The Kushwaha community was left behind by the Maoists as well. During the present revolt in the Terai the first martyr Shri. Ramesh Kumar Mahato, belonged to the Kushwaha Community.

And to the gesture by Maoist supreme commander Prachanda, I would say that the Terai grievances were never in the Maoist agenda. We have never hijacked the Maoist agenda; we feel that the Maoists forwarded the Terai grievances for mere political benefits long time back and as they left our grievances for some other political benefits we had to carry our own agenda.

Finally, the Madhesi community will ever remain obliged to the pahade brothers and sisters for showing their solidarity with us in the present crisis.
 

Concentrate on uplifting the discarded communities

Ram Chalitar Mahara, Mahottari

In my village as I know there have been no such incidents such as that happened Ram Chalitar Maharain Nepalgunj. The majority of people living in my village belong to the Brahmin community but there is no problem that makes it difficult for people from Madhesi community to make their living.

I have been living in Kathmandu since last two decades; in this period I have not felt being treated badly. People here are friendly too. The sad story coming from Nepalgunj for me is nothing more than a politically motivated one.

To add, I feel that there is no need to raise issues such as an independent state of Madhesh. There have been instances where Madhesis in Sirha and Saptari have been aggressive while putting their demands. I think this is not the right way, they are just adding fuel to the fire.

In addition, I am a hereditary citizen of this country and the citizenship certificate I possess is a valid document that certifies that I am a bonafide citizen of this country. Thus, I have a strong feeling of love to my motherland. Moreover, I never felt treated as a second-class citizen, whereas sometime I am discriminated in my own village as I belong to a dalit community.

Finally, my message to all concerned who claim to represent the troubles of Madhesi community that instead of separating Madhesh and Pahad, it is the right time to build a new Nepal wherein people from all discarded communities living any where in the country are accorded equal rights to education and health that are their due.

 
Madhesi leaders themselves have betrayed their community
Kismat Lama, Nepal Humanities Campus, Kathmandu
Kismat LamaThe Madhesis’ must be inducted in the mainstream politics of the State affairs. They must come to the power structure. They must be given equal rights. The Madhesis must come forward peacefully to put forward their demands. Their problems must be addressed by the government as soon as possible.

Another point is that the problem has come up because the leaders coming from the Terai in the past were all a bunch of corrupts. In fact, the Madhesi leaders are representing major parties like NC, UML and the Maoists as well since long time. It is true that the Maoists are still to come to the power but the Madhesi leaders in the NC and the UML have all exercised power in the government. Yet the Madhesis are poor, underrepresented and discriminated which amply means that their own leaders have betrayed their own community.

Finally, I suggest the Madhesis to adopt right procedures while putting forward their demands so as not to hurt others’ sentiment.

 
Get rid of poverty and corruption

Tika Ram Chapagain, Chitwan

I have heard some time people complaining about Brahminic hegemony in the country but I doTika Ram not believe that it is completely true. Also on the issue of discrimination I can assure you that since I own a business in Kathmandu, if I start discriminating people on the basis of their origin my business would have ceased to exist. Even I have not seen people being discriminated in my area.

I think the major issue is poverty. I suggest those entire stakeholders to get rid of rampant poverty in the country, and I assure no body would be a rebellion and enter the jungle. Creating employment opportunities could yet be another brilliant and logical idea to do away with political instability. If people are busy they won’t have time to talk and do politics. Poverty and corruption are the major issues plaguing this country, nothing else. 

On the much talked issue of the CA elections I do not know a lot, but I know that  this is a process by which new laws are enacted by the parliament for the well being of the people. But I do not have clear idea on how people participate in this process.

Political Party of Choice: Do you think presently there could be any of them talking sense? 

 
Madhesis must unite first

Ashok Thapa , Nepal Humanities Campus, Kathmandu

AshokThere are several small groups emerging from the Terai, separately coming forward with their demands. Instead, I suggest these small groups to unite first, and then initiate dialogue with the government. This way their demands will be forcefully heard by the concerned authority.

The Madhesi demands are genuine. They are demanding equal rights; this is their right as they belong to a democratic nation. But the process they are adopting to pressurize the government is not acceptable.

I think that it is the lack of significant education among the leaders and their cadres in our country that violence is always chosen over peace while objecting differing views. This is what the Maoists and other political parties chose in the past and the Madhesi community is just repeating their acts.

To add, I also see that there is a problem with the Maoists these days. I cannot fully understand why they do not favor talks with the Madhesi outfit? It is perhaps their undemocratic ideology that may have prevented the government to initiate talks with the Madhesi groups.

The Maoist attitude to repress the present Madhesi demands proves that they are yet to become fully democratic. They fought for the restoration of democracy along with the democratic parties but could not adopt democratic credentials as democracy was restored.

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