More is being done to take the agitating parties in Tarai-Madhesh into confidence. The Big Three, in keeping with the demands of the agitating parties, are now ready to delineate electoral constituencies on population basis and ensure proportional representation of marginalized communities at all state organs, it is learned. They have also hinted at redrawing provincial boundaries, again in line with the demands of the protesting parties. Although the nitty-gritty is yet to be worked out, the bill to amend the new constitution to incorporate these provisions is expected to be tabled in the legislature-parliament on October 2nd. Moreover, a three-member talks-team has been formed to initiate dialogue with the protesting parties. As a confidence-building measure, Nepal Army has also been called back to barracks in many places. These are all indications of a more accommodating attitude towards protestors. Now these must be reciprocated by Madheshi and Tharu outfits. They should at once come back to the negotiating table and end the crippling blockade in the supply of essential commodities from vital border points into Nepal.We cannot emphasize enough the need for both the sides in the constitutional standoff to resume dialogue at the earliest and give out a message that peaceful, widely-accepted solutions can still be found to the problems of Tarai-Madhesh. Virtually the entire Tarai belt has been under a lockdown mode for nearly two months. People's patience is starting to wear thin. This, in turn, is breeding desperation among them and they are starting to gravitate to extremist forces for comfort. The radicalization of Madheshi youth in particular is alarming. They have been made to believe that the Pahade leaders at the center are at fault for all the ills that afflict the Tarai and the only way to make the unheeding ruling elite hear them through brute force. Of course, the real picture is more complicated. The new constitution clearly establishes Nepal as a federal republic, which means that there is now no possibility for the comeback of the autocratic monarchy that was largely responsible for a system that discriminated people based on their caste and skin color. Now it's an open, democratic space which can be occupied by anyone who can garner public trust, including in Madhesh.
There are also provisions in the new constitution to ensure greater representation of Madheshis, Janajatis, women and other marginalized groups in the national legislature. The widespread disenchantment in Madhesh also owes to the failure of the big parties to explain the good points of the new constitution to common Tharus and Madheshis. This is where confidence-building measures like Prime Minister Sushil Koirala's recent visit to Kailali will be helpful. But, yes, there are loopholes in the new constitution, which is precisely why the Big Three are now ready to amend it. But the amendments will be meaningless without the buy-in of Madheshis and Tharus who first need to be taken into confidence. The protestors also need to be reasonable and drop their maximalist demands—and promptly open the closed border points. Moderate forces on both the sides should pull back from the brink while they still have time. Otherwise, before they know it, things may have slipped out their hands.
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