A couplet which was very popular during the three decades of Panchayat system and had become almost extinct has emerged in the last couple of years which identified one’s love for crown, country, language and dress with a surge in nationalism. Thus, consolidation of nationalism was considered to thrive upon one’s love for crown, country, language and dress.

One has to find the rationale behind the couplet, the reason for its domination during Panchayat, the causes of its decline during the advent of multi-party parliamentary system and its resurgence in the last two years. Every Nepali has to be proud of his country and consolidation of nationalism has to be the sacred duty of every Nepali. Any idea that strengthens love for motherland and consolidation of nationalism must be welcomed and expanded.

The first part of the couplet cannot be debated as the crown, being the symbol of national unity, is the core of nationalism and love for motherland is a virtue without which a person’s existence is doubtful. “Breathes there a man with a soul so dead! Who never to himself hath said, ‘This is my own native land?”

When we reach the second line of the couplet we have to deeply look into its meaning. The love for one’s language and dress can also be taken as a natural instinct. However, the question arises: Does that apply to all Nepalis?

Nepal has at least 84 ethnic groups and more than 100 languages and dialects. For a nation to become a nation and a consolidated one, every ethnic group has to develop a feeling that they have the same rights and stakes as others. There has to develop a feeling among all the ethnic, linguistic and cultural groups that they have the chance to share equal opportunity with others. There has to develop a feeling among the people of all ethnicities that they are equal partners in deciding the destiny of the nation.

The Constitution has recognised Nepal as a multi-ethnic and multi-lingual state but it lacks clarity in declaring equality in their status on the basis of which the Supreme Court gave verdict against the use of Maithili and Newari languages in the local administrative machinery. This verdict refused to recognise the right of a linguistic population to use their mother tongue in administering a local unit. So the use of the second line of the couplet creates anxiety in the minds of ethnic and linguistic groups which had welcomed the 1990 Constitution

of Nepal as a step in the right direction. The fear of domination of one language and one culture has emerged. Last week a conference of ethnic minorities once more raised several issues of perpetuation of discrimination and domination. Such fears only alienate the ethnic population and create a conflict situation. Thanks to the expansion of educational institutions and the expansion of communication facilities like television and computers, even the remote areas have become beneficiaries in receiving information. In a decade there has been a drastic change in mass consciousness and awareness of one’s identity. These factors have made it necessary to involve all the ethnic groups and geographical areas on an equitable basis in policy making, governance and all other areas.

The nation has been divided into those who want to maintain status quo and those who want a drastic change in social and political attitudes. The minority who are in favour of maintaining status quo are counting only upon the might of the state. And they are distancing themselves from the process of enlargement of people’s participation. Thus, they create hurdles on the path of expansion of democratic rule. Their hopeless strategy will last for sometime but as the knowledge of the people is expanding and they are becoming more and more aware of their rights and aspirations, the status quo is bound to crumble.

However, it is not in the interest of the state or consolidation of nationalism to submit to outmoded ideas which will enlarge the areas of conflict on top of the continuing conflict which has almost paralysed the nation. It is time for those who are holding reins of the state today to read the writing on the wall and work along with those who are against discrimination of Dalits, suppression of women and indifferent to the aspirations of the ethnic groups. The question of bringing the Constitution back to track or holding elections will not be possible or meaningful unless attention is focused on the legitimate aspirations of women, Dalits and ethnic groups.

The people in the government must pay attention to the meetings, talks, workshops and conferences aimed at empowering women, emancipating the Dalits and enhancing the ethnic role and try to work together with them with a view to enact laws that would provide necessary adjustment in favour of the marginalised people. In fact, the government ought to have taken the initiative to let them air their grievances and suggest remedies. However, paying due attention to the activities aiming at changing social order must be taken seriously.

Upadhyay is a former foreign minister