Suman Pradhan has rightly assessed the fact that long-running discrimination against Madhesis is fuelling new resentment and violence in the tarai ('Tarai tinderbox', #310). Fortunately, it may not shape into a mass-scale ethnic fight or separate state reality.

People who are trying to instigate an ethnic conflict partly because of the success of the Maoists will soon realise that it is a tough nut to crack as Nepali society has some qualities that have kept the social fabric intact.
Despite the fact that Madhesis have been neglected our educational system, being merit-based, has been one key means to help Madhesis to overcome discrimination. For example, if you travel to schools and colleges around the tarai you see educated Madhesi students being respected by society, even by hill bahuns.

There are many Madhesis who have gone through the same educational system and are now working in top positions in bureaucracy. When social integrity is as strong as it is here, it is difficult to ignite an ethnic war. For instance, Madhesis have earned more than respect not only as teachers in many remote mountain districts but also as doctors and agriculture extension workers. On the other hand, there are many bahuns in Madhesi hot-beds, like Rajbiraj, where they are more fluent in Madhesi languages than Nepali. Madhes-based political parties like Sadhbhavana have lost their momentum to mainstream political parties that have articulated their grievances better.

I do agree that there has been discrimination against Madhesis, but it is also true that the rest of Nepal lives and works with them in harmony. The eastern tarai city where I grew up we had respect for our hardworking Madhesi neighbours. However, we shouldn't underestimate Madhesi grievances especially on the discrimination and citizenship issues.

Sameer Ghimire,
Sydney

. Suman Pradhan's tarai story and your editorial ('Plains speaking', #310) draw attention to the seriousness of the issue of ethnicity in the tarai that is leading our society to divide psychologically. As long as politics is kept out of it, we have a good chance of resolving this problem. All leaders and intellectuals should forget their vested interests and prevent Nepal from being divided.

We need to protect a united, prosperous, and diverse Nepal with democratic values.

Prakash Pangeni,
email