Enough is enough: Resolve deadlock through meaningful talks

Agitations have been going on in Madhes since the last six months. This has visibly hit people’s normal life in Bara, Parsa, Rauthat, Sarlahi and Saptari districts, among others. As businesses have come to a grinding halt national economy has been reeling under it. Mithiliesh Yadav of Republica reached out to Madhesi intellectuals and business personals for accessing their concerns and voices in this context. Almost all of them urged agitating parties and the government to sit for meaningful talks and resolve the standoff without further delay:

Binod Shah, Advisor, FNCCI - Sarlahi

Businesses have been hit very badly. What’s flourishing is - black marketing and inflation. Common people are finding it hard to manage their daily expenses under such circumstances. They are not in condition to avail even two squares meal to family members. Price of everything has sky rocketed while genuine businesses have been nearly grounded. Look at the transportation service, short distance vehicles have been grounded for such a long period. How must have people carried on? Bank loan interest has piled up and with businesses grounded how are they going to pay it back. Who’s going to correct these things that have completely destroyed some businesses?

Dr Namonarayan Jha, professor

The state has not been able to understand the Madhes sentiment. It has not understood its own people. Madhes is in fire since last six months. People are living miserable life. Many have lost their job. Business sector is very badly hit.
If people are voicing against the government, shouldn’t they be heard? If they are doing so, they are expressing dissatisfaction. Such dissatisfaction shouldn’t be ignored. Rather, the state should bring them to its side; it’s the state’s duty to do so. The agitation needs safe landing without delay.

Santosh Shah, businessperson

Rent of residence and shop, bank interest, tax, staff payment, daily expenses sum up to Rs 150,000. We cannot take out vehicle in the daytime. When vehicles cannot be moved, how to do business? Local customers buy little from us, we are much dependent on home delivery of our items. We are literally ruined. There were no earnings Dashain and Diwali too. Bank loan is the biggest headache. Whatever is being earned these days do not suffice even to cover family expenses. How are we supposed to sustain?

Bikash Sarada, businessman

We are worst affected by the agitation. The state should be much responsible. Major political party leaders should stand above personal and party’s interest and think for the overall welfare of the country. People of Madhes should be understood well. Making them feel alienated is not good. The government and the agitators should not extend the political deadlock any further.

Dev Narayan Yadav, Teacher

One of the main demands of Madhes is - political representation on the basis of population. Fifty one percent of the total population lives in Madhes, so at least 50 percent of constituency should be from Madhes. Even naturalized citizenship lacks clarity We have blood relation with India, this fact cannot be overlooked. So, women brought from there, or our daughter in laws should be entitled to citizenship through descent. If they are ready to follow what’s already ensured by interim constitution, things are solved.

Chakrapani Dahal, teacher

The problem of Madhes is related to dignity. So, until and unless talk is done by understanding the sentiment, it’s not going to work. Calling for talk just for the sake of talk cannot bring about results. It needs honesty to handle the situation. Talk between the government and the agitating parties have failed to yield result as it is not being taken seriously. It should also be understood that the federal demarcation has to be redrawn. Ignoring the agendas of the people’s movement and Madhes movement will take country nowhere but will only further fuel the problem.

Ashok Lal Amatya, Businessperson

Bank loan is the biggest worry of businesspersons. No matter what the situation is, the interest amount is added every new day. If the political solution to the ongoing standoff is not sought now, not only businesspersons and industrialists of Madhes but the economy of the entire country will crumble. It seems that our leaders and the political parties are actually in favor of banda and strikes. They do not want peace and development. Tomorrow when the federal provinces are demarked, the parties are going to divide us Madhesis in name of caste and creed again and try to rule. This is going to hit the economy again. I am really worried about these all.

Further I see that Madhesi parties have no diplomacy. While dealing with nation’s big parties and also with India, it couldn’t show maturity. Economy of the country and that of Madhes is collapsing but still negotiations between the government and the agitators have reached nowhere. They never find solution. Why don’t they sit for talk from early morning to evening and get to a point? The agitators urge us not to pay tax, but we cannot do so.