Why in news?
Nepal’s Madhesis are seeking both grassroots democracy and state restructuring
What are the issues with Madhesis?
- A strong political movement seeking enlarged participation of the Terai in Nepal’s politics and policymaking emerged in 2007.
- The Tharus, the largest group of original settlers of the terai region and do not like to get called as Madhesis.
- The Madhes has historically been part of the larger Mithila region and are slightly lesser than tharus population.
- There is a struggle for ethnicity, Identity and political sturdiness by the Madhesis
- Most of the Madhesis lives in Nepal Bordering Uttar Pradesh.
- On basis of this issue Nepal constitution as been amended many number of times.
What are the demands of the Madhesis?
- Federalisation is a desperate demand for recognition and inclusion.
- The Madhesis are expecting to meet their demands in a democratic way.
- They demand for opportunities in the government, the bureaucracy and the security forces.
- Few Madhesis parties, demand for amendments to be made to the Constitution before the Lok Sabha polls.
What are the hardships to attain the demands?
- The Community party had steadfastly opposed any change to the Constitution finalised in 2015.
- Specifically, amendments that would allow a redrawing of the provinces, as demanded by the plains-dwellers, the Madhesis.
- Many Madhesi parties are planned for boycotting the Lok Sabha polls.
What can be done?
- To meet their demands the Madhesis should contest in elections.
- This is why two other Madhesi forces the Federal Socialist Forum and the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum Loktantrik decided to participate in the elections.
- Madhesi faith in democracy must be secured with the promised amendments.
- India needs to help in safe guarding the Madhesis democratic interest.
Source: The Hindu
