 PURNA BASNET |
Centralised politics of Madhesi parties and their publicised agreement with the government has done little to stabilise unlawful activities in the Tarai by armed groups. Security is absent here, but locals are still enthusiastic about the constitution although most arguments remain unresolved. Himal Khabarpatrika talked to a group of politically aware and involved participants at Sapahi, Dhanusa.
A Mithila state
Madhesi parties have demanded a united Madhes. However, people here are still uncertain even though Sapahi is just two hours away from Janakpur, where a majority of the population speaks Maithili.
Most participants argued against a Mithila sub-province. According to them, division on the basis of culture would break national unity. "If divisions have to be made," says one, "they should be on a regional basis."
The MJF's Satyadeb Yadab argues that the idea of a united Tarai was central to his party's doctrine and that division would benefit both the Tarai and the country as a whole. TMLP's Bindeshor Yadab envisioned a united Tarai from Chure to the Indian border, with one government and one chief minister.
For Kangresi Jagan Narayan Yadab, the country would be in trouble if it was to be divided the way the Madhesi parties claimed. He says: "If the hills are the head, the Tarai is the womb. One cannot be separated from the other." He adds that we should focus on improving the lay person's life and strengthening the constitution instead of being stuck on race and language politics.
Another member of the NC says: "It would be wrong to demand that people ignore someone they meet everyday and go to the same school with, but be expected to feel unity with someone in Nepalganj whom he has never seen."
He argues that another civil war would break out if there wasn't a fair allocation of resources. Geographer Surdev Shah said that the Maoists' emphasis on race-based divisions was the backdrop for separatists. He adds that how the demand for a united Madhes came about must be explored, and the problem addressed at the source. "If we don't think about how to make these separate states economically independent now, there will be problems later on," he says.
Land reform
Rajendra Yadab, a farmer in Sapahi, says, "Our rights should not be limited to only the Madhes, but should cover the entire country." Two years after the people's movement, he feels there has been no tangible improvement in the lives of farmers. "We need land," he says. "Each family needs at least two kathas of land. Land reform should be addressed in the assembly."
Those present weren't clear about the government's stance on land reform. "If they plan to push it in a hurry it could be dangerous," says Surdeb Shah. He advises that the government first address land reform in the constitution after consulting experts and create a legal method to distribute land. "Questions like how land will be used, how much of it will be used to farm and how it's going to contribute to national income needs to be addressed," he says.
The NC's Jagan Narayan argued, "The Maoists introduced the agenda of land reform in the constitution in order to create conflict between different segments." The MJF's Satyadeb Yadab says:"There is no land left in the Tarai, what are we going to reform?" Others felt there was symbiosis between the Tarai and the hills with their agriculture produce which could be exchanged. Some said land should go to the tiller so that productive farms would not lie fallow.
Inclusive constitution
Surya Narayan Yadab says: "Unless there is proportionate representation of all groups at policy-making level, positive change is not possible." Most of the participants felt that the constitution must be inclusive in terms of race, ethnic group, language, region, religion and culture, and that there must be equal rights for men and women. Rajendra Yadab suggests constitutional members to go to the people and ask disadvantaged groups about their needs. "We need to be asked," he says.
14 committee chairs
 KIRAN PANDAY |
2. State Restructuring and Resource Allocation Committee: Lokendra Bista Magar (Maoist)
3. Fundamental Right and Directive Principle Committee: Binda Pandey (UML)
4. Minorities and Marginalised Communities Rights Protection Committee: Lal Bahu Pandit (UML)
5. Legislative Organs Delineation Committee: Ramesh Rijal (NC)
6. State Rules Delineation Committee: Shambhu Hajara Dusadh (NC)
7. Judiciary Committee: Prabhu Shah (Maoist)
8. Constitutional Body Delineation Committee: Gobind Chaudary (TMLP)
9. Natural Resource, Economic Rights and Revenue Allocation Committee: Amrita Thapa Magar (Maoist)
10. Cultural and Social Solidarity Delineation Committee: Nawodita Chaudhary (RPP)
11. National Interests Protection Committee: Amik Sherchan (Maoist)
12. Civil Relationship Committee: Mina Pandey (NC)
13. Public Opinion Collection and Coordination Committee: Pramod Prasad Gupta (MJF)
14. Capacity Enhancement and Resource Management Committee: Mrigendra Singh Yadab (MJF)
