JANAKPURDHAM, Jan 20: It has been 17 years since the Madhesh movement heated up, raising the issue of identity and federalism for an inclusive state system. The Madhesi Janadhikar Forum at that time made waves in the Terai-Madhesh, believing that the political system adopted on the foundation of the people's movement was incomplete and neglected the Madhesi people. The Madhesh movement intensified with the promulgation of the interim constitution on January 15, 2007.
A tragic event in Lahan of Siraha on January 19, 2007, worked to add fuel to the fire when the Madhesh movement, which was earlier limited to corner meetings and slogan processions, became more intense. The then-Maoist CPN left the armed conflict and joined the peace process. However, their armed soldiers were staying in the cantonment.
A Maoist leader traveled from west to east on that fateful day under the protection of his fighters. Demonstrators were demonstrating in front of the Shyam Movie Hall in Lahan by burning tires. There was a heavy deployment of police to prevent the protestors from getting violent. A 15-year-old Ramesh Mahato was also present in the crowd of protesters. The East-West highway was blocked due to the demonstration. There were gunfire to control the demonstrators which killed Mahato.
After this incident, the movement became violent throughout Madhesh. Madhesi-centric parties including then Madhesi Janadhikhar Forum (now Janata Samajwadi Party) have been commemorating January 19 as the Sacrifice Day since then.
There have been three Madhesi movements since 2063 BS for equal rights, opportunity, and identity of Madhesi in the state system. A total of 117 people lost their lives in the Madhesh movement in 2063 BS, 2064 BS and during the promulgation of the constitution by the Constituent Assembly in 2072 BS. All of them have been declared martyrs by the government.
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There are currently seven provincial governments in the country due to the Madhesh movement which laid the foundation of federalism. Under the pressure of the movement, the government has adopted a policy for the establishing Madhesi identity, representation and inclusion based on population.
Many of the political issues raised by the Madhesh movement have almost been fulfilled. However, as the central leadership is not honest, the achievements are yet to materialize. The Madhes movement was a rebellion for identity and respect. The province comprising eight districts has got the identity of Madhesh Province. The central leadership has not been honest towards Madhesh Province. That is where the current dissatisfaction and struggle of the Madhesh Province lies. On January 17, 2022, Province 2 got the recognition as Madhesh Province. This occasion has been celebrated by Madhesh Provincial government as Dignity Day.
Saroj Kumar Yadav, who was appointed chief minister on January 11, 2023, took oath on January 13. One year of the Madhesh government's second term was completed on January 13.
Struggle for rights continues in Madhesh
Even four years after the approval of the Police Adjustment Act, the responsibility of police deployment has not been transferred to the provincial government. It has been three years since the the then Ministry of Internal Affairs and Law of the Madhesh Provincial Government wrote a letter to the Ministry of Home Affairs for the implementation of the Act, 2076, which was created to make arrangements for the operation, supervision, and coordination of the work performed by the Nepal Police and the Provincial Police forces.
This Police Act was authenticated by the President on February 11, 2020, and has been implemented. Chief Minister Saroj Yadav said, “According to the law, the provincial police should be accountable to the provincial government. But this has not happened in practice. There has been no coordination regarding the mobilization and deployment of the provincial police. This is an ironic situation. This is causing hindrance in the operation of the government.”
Chief Minister Yadav said that the federal government should hand over the law to keep the administration, peace and security of the province under the provincial government under the provisions of the constitution. He said, “If the rights are not transferred according to the constitution, we will be forced to struggle to get the rights guaranteed by the constitution.”
He said that the federal government should hand over the law to keep the administration and law and order of the province under the provincial government according to the provisions and spirit of the constitution.
In the Act, it is said that the police personnel up to the Deputy Superintendent of Police will be adjusted in the provincial police. It is said that the central government will appoint police personnel of the rank above DSP. The provincial police chief holding the post of a Deputy Inspector General will be appointed by the central government. Due to these provisions, there is a danger that the chain of command of the police will be destabilized.
The Madhesh government is struggling not only to adjust the police but also to receive the rest of the rights listed in the constitution. The Madhesh government claimed that since the Federal Civil Service Bill has not been passed, the provincial government has been facing various problems in providing effective services to the people.
According to CM Yadav, the Federal Civil Service Bill needs to be passed by the Federal Parliament immediately.
