The Federal Alliance organized an interaction program in Kathmandu on Monday and discussed a concept on launching a nationwide protest programs to settle the disputed issues of the newly promulgated constitution. There are 24 parties in the alliance, including the parties under the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) and other fringe parties.
Federal Socialist Forum Nepal (FSFN) Chairman Upendra Yadav urged all the ethnic and indigenous communities to participate in the mass movement once more. "The constitution is discriminatory and it does not address the feelings of Madhesi, indigenous and ethnic communities," said Yadav. "Thus, it is necessary for all ethnic communities from Madhes to mountains to participate in the next uprising," he added.
Yadav fiercely criticized the government and alleged that black-marketers are running the economy of the country. "The earthquake victims are yet to get shelters. The assistance received is not being properly utilized. Black-marketers are damaging the economy. Petrol and cooking gas are being supplied in the country but general public are yet to get them easily. The government is blocking the supply to benefit the black-marketers," said Yadav.
"Our nationality is for unity among diversity but we could not feel it in practice. The next mass movement is to establish this motto," he added.
Tarai Madhes Democratic Party (TMDP) Chairman Mahantha Thakur said that the agitation started by the people of Tarai-Madhes expressing dissatisfaction over the new constitution has turned into a nationwide protest by now. "We are against the constitution written through the bloods of Madhesi people. In next round of agitation, not only Madhes but also people from hills and mountains will express dissatisfaction over this discriminatory constitution," said Thakur.
Speaking at the interaction program, most of the Madhesi leaders said that the constitution is discriminatory toward the indigenous communities and the next round of protest program will be more centralized to Kathmandu.
Civil society leader Daman Nath Dhungana urged the alliance not only to focus on protest programs but also to focus on resolving the existing problems through dialogue.
Earlier, the alliance published its 26-point concept note and said that the next round of protest program will take place according to it. The alliance has been preparing to hand over the 26-point demands to the government formally. Leaders of the alliance have said that it is the continuity to the 11-point demands submitted by the UDMF.
The alliance has urged for forming provinces based on ethnicities -- namely Limbuwan, Khambuwan, Sherpa, Tamsaling, Newa, Tamuwan, Magarat, Tharuhat, Khasan and Madhes. The alliance has also urged for forming autonomous regions, special zones for marginalized and endangered ethnic communities.
The alliance has also stressed on proportional representation in every state organ and establishing the rights of getting information in their mother tongue.
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