Kathmandu, August 17 Chairman of Federal Socialist Forum-Nepal Upendra Yadav said putting the tag of ‘terrorist,’ ‘communal,’ and/or ‘separatist,’ against him or other advocates of empowerment of marginalised sections and communities would not work. Talking to THT, Yadav said the Panchayat system used to weaken marginalised communities’ leaders labelling them ‘communal’ and ‘separatist’ but that did not work. “I want them to investigate the matter as soon as possible,” Yadav said when asked to respond to the allegation that he spoke in Kailali recently against territorial integrity and communal harmony. Yadav said seeking empowerment of Madhesis, Janajatis, Dalits, women and other marginalised sections and minorities was not communal, but a real effort to promote national unity. “People of Madhes will never support disintegration of the country. We want to promote national unity by mainstreaming those who have been victims of discrimination for centuries and this is what I have always said. Those who misinterpret our speech and intentions are communal elements who want to continue the hegemony of one community, who have ruled the country for centuries,” Yadav added. He said he would not be deterred by any kind of allegation. “I faced 17 cases, including the charge of treason during Panchayat. The Panchayat system collapsed, but I am still championing the cause of the marginalised communities,” he added. He said Madhesis had entered a ‘do or die’ phase of their struggle and would react against any conspiracy. The Madhesi leader said the six provinces were carved out with a communal mindset. ‘Only a communal mind can decide to mix Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari in the hilly province, split Magarat and impose one language on this multi-lingual country. Only a communal mind can decide to put Tharuhat areas into a hill province,” Yadav said and added that Madhesi forces wanted to strengthen national unity and integrity by mainstreaming the marginalised and powerless communities. When asked why Madhesi parties did not seek to resolve issues through negotiation, Yadav said they had already held talks in the past and signed agreements and now the leaders just needed to implement those agreements. He said Unified CPN-M Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal had no right to bash Madhesis and marginalised communities as he himself spoke of ensuring Kochila, Madhes, Tharuhat, Magarat and Newa Pradesh in the past. Yadav said Madhesis had the right to claim areas up to the Chure range and said inclusion of areas beyond Chure range and mountains in Madhes Pradesh would not solve problems. “Late King Mahendra had initiated the north-south division of areas. Birendra later created five development regions but these divisions did not ensure empowerment of Madhesis, and therefore, we are opposed to north-south division of provinces,” he added. Yadav said he favoured a single Madhes Pradesh but he would not deny the Tharu demand for a separate Tharuhat. “As far as Limbuwan proponents’ demand for having Jhapa, Morang and Sunsari is concerned, I think we can easily resolve the issue through dialogue,” he added. Yadav said Madhesis had sacrificed their lives for federalism and no power could deny or dilute federalism now.