Madhesis: Faith in democracy

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