Kathmandu, September 7

Young Tharu leaders and Constituent Assembly members have said that Tharus and Madhesis have no option but to fight for their rights.

Speaking at an interaction with the civil society members organised by Tharus Around World, Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum–Democratic here today, CA member Yogendra Chaudhari said the three major parties closed all doors to justice for Tharus, and therefore, ‘war’ was the only option left for them.

He said the state was acting with Khas mindset and that was the reason the state addressed the concerns of Kailali and Surkhet but ignored the concerns of Tarai communities.

Chaudhari said the three major parties should be ready to seek negotiated settlement of constitutional issues even if it entailed amendment to the Interim Constitution and CA Rules of Procedures.

MJF-D central committee member Laxman Tharu said four provinces in the hills and three provinces in the Tarai would be a win-win formula for all. “I wish that good sense prevailed among the three major parties and they seek negotiated settlement of the constitutional issues,” he added.

Tharu   said if the three parties continued to ignore the concerns of Tharu population, they would fight a do-or-die battle and the state would not be able to prevent Tharus from coming to the streets even if it mobilised entire army in Kailali. Tharu said those who were talking of taking out goodwill rallies should tell the people that the state was being ruled by one community and Tharus’ houses were destroyed in Kailali even during curfew.

Tharuhat Tarai Party-Nepal CA member Ganga Chaudhari (Satgauwa) said those who were saying that Tharus were living in harmony (with Pahadi people) should know that Tharus were only tolerating the hegemony of the ruling class.

CPN-UML Central Committee member Bhagwati Chaudhari said Tharus’ demands were genuine and the state should address their grievances. “If Tharus are labelled as terrorists, then they could become terrorists,” she said and added that if provinces were created as per the 16-point deal that could have resolved the current problems. She said Tharu leaders of the party had suggested the parties to meet Tharus’ demands even if that meant separating some parts of Kailali district. Civil society member Surendra Chaudhari said if the three major parties failed to address Tharus’ concerns, Tharus from Kanchanpur to Jhapa might return their citizenships to the state and start non-cooperation by refusing to work for or cater to those people who do not support their agendas.

UCPN-M CC member Lucky Sherpa said factions of the three major parties dictated the inter-party negotiations to suit their factional interests and therefore there was strong opposition to provisions of the draft constitution.

Civil Society member Daman Dhungana said marginalised people needed to be united to claim their rightful share in the constitution.