Nepal's political transition is at its tipping point. Domestic and external forces are doing all they can to carve out their influence in the new constitution.

The Hindu nationalists recently held a conference in Gorakhpur, the Janjati caucus have dared to challenge traditional parliamentary practice by over-riding the party whip. Nepali society is engulfed in a fascinating debate on ethnic, linguistic, regional and gender identities along with political dialogue on rights, democracy and pluralism. International forces with various levels of interest in Nepal have joined the debate as well. The future of the country depends on how successfully we manage to find a compromise to balance all these interest groups.

Of late, attempts are being made to pit the political parties against their Janjati, Madhesi and Dalit constituencies. There is a concerted challenge against the political system of the country in the name of ethnic and regional agendas. While there is a need to reduce the trust deficit between the ruling class and traditionally marginalised ethnic and caste groups, it can never be the rationale to impose the concern of a particular group at the cost of the democratic order. The popular movements of Madhes, Janjatis and the Dalits was about rights and identity, not for ethnic or regional hegemony.