Such news, Chaudhary shared, have been worrying him lately thinking that such ethnic tensions could disrupt communal harmony and disputes between families back at home."I constantly tell my family members to have mutual respect for people of all ethnicity," said Chaudhary, "I give them example of the people living here in Dang who are helping each other now." He shared that tensions back at home were also affecting his relations in Dang.
Chaudhary recalls how friends from the hill community had helped him in his difficulties. "My friends from the hill communities were the ones who helped me when I was falling short of finance to send my son to foreign country for studies," said Chaudhary who had come to Dang as assistant engineer of District Development Committee.
"These people have always helped me. Even when my mother fell sick, they collected funds for her treatment. I cannot forget such generosity and humanness," added Chaudhary. His relationship to the hill people transformed into family relationship seven years ago when his married a hill girl, Shobha Karki.
"My in-laws and maternal family share cordial relationship and visit each on regular basis without having any traces of discomfort," Shobha said. "We participate in each others' festivals and celebrate them with equal fervor," informed Shobha while elaborating how her extended tie with a Madhesi family has prospered over years.
Dang which is populated with members from Tharu, Madhesi and hill communities has seen people of different ethnicity coexist peacefully. Chaudhary is concerned over the growing unrest in eastern Tarai region. "It's not only about the safety of my family back in Mahottari. Given the negativity of incidents happening there, I am worried that tomorrow both communities might hesitate to continue living as neighbors here as well."
Dinesh Chaudhary is one of the many people who have been troubled by the unrest that has plagued eastern Tarai region. Madhesi population, which has been part of the district for many years now, is worried of the possible repercussions of the ongoing tensions of eastern Tarai in Dang. The fear is based on the effect the 2007's Madhesh Movement in eastern Tarai had on Dang. The movement had fuelled disputes and intolerance between the Tarai and hill communities members back then. "Even today there are few self proclaimed right activists who are trying to divert the people to protest. But many people here are choosing to remain ignorant of the ongoing protests, fearing that it will affect the prevailing peace and harmony," said Chaudhary.
This society which was otherwise known to be conservative in observing rituals and norms is willingly adopting new cultures and practices. After years of coexistence with hill communities, people in Madhesi community, basically, Yadavs in Dang have become more welcoming to inter caste marriages, a practice previously consider unacceptable.
"We have been equally participating in festivals of other communities for years now" said Dev Yadav of Gadwa in Deukhuri. "Tharu and hill people have become our brothers and for keeping this relationship intact, the current protests in the eastern Tarai region must be resolved at the earliest peacefully," he added. "The government should address the issue at the earliest to ensure that members of all communities once again can start to coexist peacefully. Communal harmony is the key to peaceful and progressive society."
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