Addressing the first ever mass gathering organized by United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) at Tundikhel on Saturday afternoon, the Madhesi and indigenous leaders said they share common concerns and that they would work together for the realization of their goals. [break]
Chairman of Tarai Madhes Democratic Party (TMDP) Mahantha Thakur said the Madhesi and indigenous peoples will not accept the new constitution if it does not guarantee identity-based federalism. “We have joined hands as both the Madhesi and indigenous peoples have been made victims of discrimination,” said Thakur, adding, “If necessary, we will jointly launch a movement.”
Madhesi People´s Rights Forum-Democratic (MPRF-D) Chairman Bijay Kumar Gachchhadar, who is also the deputy prime minister and home minister, said the country would witness yet another movement if the new constitution is promulgated without dealing with the issue of federalism.
“I have reminded the leadership of major three political parties -- UCPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress and CPN-UML -- that there will be stringent protests if the issue of federalism is deferred,” added Gachchhadar. He also warned the three major political parties not to take their concerns lightly.
Similarly, Acting Chairman of MPRF-Republican Rajkishor Yadav said no force in the country can prevent Madhesi and indigenous peoples from securing their rights.
“We want to tell those who label us as anti-national that Madhesi and indigenous peoples have always been in favor of an integrated Nepal,” said Yadav.
Likewise, Sadbhawana Party (SP) Chairman Rajendra Mahato, who is also the health minister, said it took 22 years for them to make non-Madhesis understand their agony.
“Twenty-two years ago, our party had organized a mass gathering at the same place, but it was disrupted,” recalled Mahato.
TMDP-Nepal Chairman and Minister for Irrigation Mahendra Yadav accused the major three political parties of being anti-federalist.
Speaking at the same function, Parshuram Tamang, a leader from indigenous group, expressed solidarity with the Madhes-based parties. “We want to assure that indigenous peoples are with the Madhesi parties in the struggle for identity,” said Tamang.
Malla K Sundar, an ethnic activist, urged Madhesi leaders to strongly raise their concerns in the Constituent Assembly (CA).
Leader of the United Tharu Struggle Committee Surendra Tharu said the Madhesi and Tharu peoples will not fight each other as both communities share the same agenda - a new constitution that guarantees identity-based federalism.
Central members and lawmakers of five Madhes-based parties associated with UDMF had participated in the mass gathering.
Thakur and Mahendra Yadav addressed the program in Hindi while Gachchhadar and MPRF-R Chairman Yadav delivered their speeches in Nepali. Mahato addressed the event in both Hindi and Nepali.
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