Nationalities lambast political parties for heeding their demandsHimalayan News ServiceKathmandu, April 12Political parties came under fire for their “double standards” in pursuing demands and issues — including secularism and reservation — raised by the nationalities.Members of the nationalities participating in an interaction on ‘Constitution amendment and Indigenous/Nationalities’ organised by Kirant Yakthung Chumlung (KYC), a social organisation of the Limbus, here on Friday criticised the political parties for their ineffectiveness.A majority of the participants said political parties raise issues, put forth their views and opinions — on janajati (nationalities) related issues — but do not implement them. “Political parties have been saying one thing and doing another,” they said.“The fact that the ruling Nepali Congress and the main opposition CPN-UML have nowhere mentioned or taken up the janajatis issues in their proposal for constitutional amendment, elucidates that they are yet to digest the janajati concerns,” said Uttam Singh Thangden an advocate and Central Executive Committee member of the KYC. “What is stopping them or playing hindrance? Why are they so stingy?” Thangden asked further.Former minister Nilambar Acharya participating in the discussion demanded that an all-party constitution amendment review committee be set up. The committee should also accommodate those not represented in the parliament — including janajatis, dalits and other backward communities. “Constitution amendment should not be limited to political parties’ proposals. The political parties need to rethink and thereby not ignore the backward groups’ concerns,” he said.Durga Prasad Subba, an advocate, presenting a paper on constitution amendment and the nationalities stated “strategic approach” necessary in order to mainstream the nationalities. “Until the present system of governance is transformed into consensus democracy, overall development, preservation and enhancement of religion, language, art, culture, knowledge, skills of the janajatis will not be realised.”As it stands it is difficult to accommodate the nationality groups within the constitution amendment, Subba added. “Therefore, rewriting of the constitution would be an adequate way out.” However, as of now, he advised capitalising on the proposed constitution amendment.Accepting that lobbying works in democracy Subba stated, “Here the question is whether constitution amendments would take up the janajati’s concerns.” The fact that responsible parties like the Nepali Congress (NC) and the CPN-UML have not accommodated the janajatis in their proposal for amendment however, explains the reality, he adds further.Secular state, proportional electorate, reservation, distribution of resources, equal treatment to all languages, federal government, community right, right to organise — to form community or social group based political party, right to land, citizenship, inclusive governance, multiethnic state, transforming the National Assembly into House of Nationalities are the some of the demands raised by the Janajatis who comprise 35.5 per cent of the country’s population, according to 1991 census.“Discriminations have existed since long and that has to end,” said Bal Bahadur Rai of the NC, calling for “equal participation of the janajatis in the state administration”. MP and former minister Rai also suggested elevating representation of nationalities groups in the National Assembly.Bhupendra Nembang, a ML representative, called for a people’s referendum to decide on the constitution.