The 20-day Madhesi movement that started from January 19 has been unparallel in Nepal’s history. Neither during the 1990 movement nor in April 2006 revolution, was life crippled like this. The major political factions of Tarai, including Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum, Nepal Sadbhavana Party (A), Janatantrik Tarai Morcha (Goit), and Janatantrik Tarai Morcha (Jwala Singh) were the key players. The movement appeared very organised. The political players tried to cash in on the suppressed feelings of the Madhesis caused by centuries of discrimination. It was the first time that the Tarai people joined the agitation and exhibited rare solidarity for their cause irrespective of their caste, creed and gender.

The main demands of the agitating groups are: (a) establishment of federal set-up and regional autonomy with right to self-determination (b) proportional representation according to population in the constituent assembly and (c) representation of Madhesi people in state organs and programmes during the transition period.

Prime Minster Koirala touched upon some demands of the Madhesis in his January 31 proclamation, which was not enough to meet their aspirations. It, however, opened the door for dialogue. A three-member talk team headed by NC leader Mahanta Thakur was formed on February 2, which officially invited the three agitating groups for dialogue. Following the Prime Minister’s efforts to clarify himself on the Madhesi demands on February 7, and eight parties showing commitment for the same, the MJF declared suspension of chakkajams and bandhs for 10 days. But the talks with the agitating groups are yet to start.

Leaders of Madhes have taken Koirala’s address only as a “partial victory,” which, though positive, has not been able to address the demands of inclusive democracy, federal republican set-up with rights to autonomy, self-determination and proportional representation in the polls. Besides, they feel that conducive environment for talks have not yet been created as a high-level probe team has not been constituted to investigate the killings of Madhesis and the Home Minister has not resigned.

The Madhesi uprising has led to unprecedented loss of life and property. A White Paper of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) shows that the 20 days of Tarai unrest cost the economy nearly Rs. 29 billion; with the loss of Rs. 18.64 billion in industrial production. In addition, the agricultural sector lost more than Rs. 5 billion.

A dialogue should be started both at the government’s talk team level and at the people’s level. The official talk team and the agitating parties should be provided technical details on issues related to separation of political and economic powers between the centre and states under a federal system. Dialogue at the people-to-people level among various ethnic groups, both in the rural and urban regions, is equally important. To begin with, people-to-people level dialogue should be held in all district headquarters of the Tarai and in major towns in hills and mountains, including Pokhara, Dhankuta and Kathmandu. There needs to be added focus on the positive aspects of the Madhesi movement in which one ethnic community helped the other to mitigate the crisis. Individual and collective efforts aimed at cementing ties among the ethnic communities also need to be emphasised.

Many aspects of the federal structure should be discussed at the people-to-people level. In Eritrea, Africa, it took three years to draft a constitution as the people at the grassroots were involved more in the constitution-making process than the “experts”. In case of Nepal, it will be better if the people themselves decided on the distribution of political power and the right to harness local natural resources as per the spirit of decentralisation and federalism.

Wider debates on these issues would help develop a consensus for shaping a federal structure and thereby establish an integrated and affluent Nepal.

Much of the problem arises due to the limited size of the cake. Once the size is enlarged, the entire population would feel a sense of unity. All innovative ideas — harnessing hydropower, developing tourism, promoting agriculture, industry, trade and service sectors — should be

given equal priority. Seminars and workshops could be held and dramas, video shows and festivals like Holi promoted for the same purpose.

If possible, organisations with wider experience like the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights need to be involved in the process. Expertise of neutral countries like Finland and Norway can also be useful in facilitating the dialogues. Such dialogues at different levels will promote social harmony, national unity and democracy.

Jha is professor of Economics and executive director of Centre for Economic and Technical Studies