Sushil Koirala government has missed the woods for the trees by displaying a frivolous attitude to the ongoing protests in Tarai-Madhesh. Once again, Home Minister Bamdev Gautam's knee-jerk reaction towards the Kailali incident has resulted in protests throughout the region. By choosing army deployment over negotiations and instead of bringing dissenters on board, the government is alienating its own people in Tarai-Madhesh.The political establishment in Kathmandu is proving incapable of bringing stability and is simply squandering possibilities in the plains. Moreover, there appears to be false pride over the 'goodwill' being tossed by the political contractors in Kathmandu. People directly responsible for this negligent state of affairs are the few powerful leaders. They seem convinced that the only way to pay homage to our red flag is to let it drench with the blood of innocents.
The Madhesh Movement of 2007, nourished by the people's memory of years of repression, brought optimism among Madheshis and Tharus. Aware of this new development, leaders deceived the natives with dreams of inclusive federalism and thrived on the votes of marginalized populace. Despite the perfect opportunity of inclusion and political representation, it is sad that the current spirit of demarcating federal provinces has evolved as a means for politicians to secure top spots in the future state and walk the corridors of power.
The recent happenings have distressed diverse communities within Madhesh as no attempt has been made to understand the natives' needs. It's a farce that PM Koirala makes a haste to respond to Karnali protestors while ignoring the agitating Tarai groups.
Political pundits and analysts based in Kathmandu are tagging Tikapur incident as ethnic-driven. Media machinery and social sites keep digging dirt on Tharus. All have conveniently forgotten other angles. Why don't we debate and question the series of provocative remarks by national leaders before the incident and possible infiltration that led to unfortunate loss of lives in Kailali? Or why are the demands of hills promptly addressed but aspirations of people of the plains overlooked? Why does Home Minister keep changing his statements?
Sadly, the new days of the republic are no different to the era of the kingdom when minorities were expected to quietly succumb to inequality, despotism, and subjugation. Over the last few days, dozens of Madheshis and Tharus have either been shot dead or have sustained bullet injuries. Observers point out spike in human rights violations and use of excessive force in situations that did not warrant it. In comparison, not a single bullet was fired on "akhanda" protesters and Hindu radicals displaying swords and other home-made weapons in the capital, including the protesters in western hills.
Majority of youth and common people on the streets of Birgunj, Kalaiya, Gaur, and Janakpur expressing solidarity with the movement and participating in the protests say that there is now a new vigor to the andolan. Youths and women have dared come out to demand inclusion, rights and respect that their forefathers have been fighting for. The newborn aspiration is that the Madheshis will, during this andolan, rise to the challenge of changing the guards that claim to represent them. If Madhesh fails to change its leadership, nothing will change.
Equally, there are disturbing signs on the Madhesh streets and if the state plays the 'retaliation game' then savagery will become more rampant. There is also fear in the minds of common Madheshis and Tharus and they have started seeing security forces as representatives of the state systematically suppressing and humiliating them. The deepening polarization in Nepali polity is the result of narcissism and deceit of leaders who would do anything to advance their self interests in the hill-dominated political structure.
Whether by contemptuously calling Madheshi and Tharu protesters secessionists or by scaring them with brutality at the hands of security forces, political establishment in Kathmandu has only one objective: to ensure that Madheshis and Tharus tacitly accept what a few selfish and visionless leaders in Baluwatar impose. Consequently, for them means justify the ends. And history is replete with instances of oppressive regimes holding victims responsible for their own plights. The ruling coalition holds Madheshis and Tharus responsible for all acts of oppression committed on them by the state.
But instead of perceiving the gravity of the situation and providing a healing touch, especially when Tarai-Madhesh is alienated, the PM in his address in the parliament emphasized that constitution is a document of compromise and every demand cannot be accommodated. Once again he has ended up hurting the Madheshi sentiments and is missing the bigger picture.
What the prime minister and ruling coalition have failed to understand during these desperate times is that beneath the veneer of transitional democracy lie the scourges of systemic exclusion of certain communities since time immemorial. This systemic exclusion is happening in a myriad ways, and seeking military solution to a deep-rooted political problem is not the way forward. The prime minister is losing sight of the overall picture.
We are living through some interesting times, with confusion and uncertainty all around. Nepal will not survive unless it stops alienating Madhesh. It's an important geostrategic strip that will escape the center's hold if not handled carefully. Time is ripe for the government to wake up to its intrinsic prejudices and hypocritical attitudes. It should give Tarai-Madhesh special status while demarcating federal states that provide a secure feeling in its communities and integrate them into the life of the nation. Only then will the political establishment in Kathmandu be able to take Nepal on the path of modern democratic federalism.
jhakanchanjha@gmail.com
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