Nepal government’s decision to amend its new constitution will help resolve a long-simmering dispute which has brought life to a standstill in some parts of the country. People from the Madhesi ethnic minority, mainly from the country’s southern plains, have been blockading the main Birgunj border crossing with India, protesting alleged discrimination, saying the new constitution leaves them politically marginalised. The blockade had crippled imports of essential commodities, including oil, to the land-locked country from India. The human toll too was heavy. More than fifty people have died in clashes between protesters and the police since the demonstrations started.
The foreign ministry said the cabinet had agreed to support a constitutional amendment bill that would address the main grievance of the Madhesis by increasing their presence in government bodies through proportional representation. “The process for the adoption of the constitution amendment bill tabled in the parliament will be advanced in order to ensure the participation in the state organs on the basis of proportionate inclusiveness,” a statement said. The protesters had also wanted changes in the country’s internal borders laid out in the new constitution which, according to them, will leave them under-represented in the parliament. “With regard to the demarcation of provinces... a political mechanism will be constituted, which will submit its report along with recommendations within three months,” an official said.
The Madhesi protests had soured relations between Nepal and its giant neighbour India. New Delhi was accused of supporting the protesters and stoking protests, but Kathmandu’s decision to amend the constitution now paves the way for restoring relations to the previous level. New Delhi has welcomed Kathmandu’s decision as a “positive step that (will) help create the basis for a resolution of the current impasse in Nepal.” “We urge all Nepali political forces to now demonstrate the necessary maturity and flexibility to find a satisfactory solution to the Constitutional issues through constructive dialogue in an agreed timeframe,” India’s foreign ministry said in a statement.
Nepal got a new constitution after a prolonged stalemate due to intense bickering between various groups. A devastating earthquake in April 2015, Nepal that killed over 9,000 people and injured more than 23,000 had pushed the warring political parties to reach an agreement. The adoption of the constitution was considered a huge breakthrough, but the Madhesi protests again pushed the country into a crisis.
The constitutional crisis and the earthquake have destroyed Nepal’s economy. The Madhesis haven’t reacted to the government proposal, though they are likely to welcome it. The government must work strenuously to solve all differences with the community. Nepal now needs peace and stability to rebuild its economy and focus on governance.
Nepal government’s decision to amend its new constitution will help resolve a long-simmering dispute which has brought life to a standstill in some parts of the country. People from the Madhesi ethnic minority, mainly from the country’s southern plains, have been blockading the main Birgunj border crossing with India, protesting alleged discrimination, saying the new constitution leaves them politically marginalised. The blockade had crippled imports of essential commodities, including oil, to the land-locked country from India. The human toll too was heavy. More than fifty people have died in clashes between protesters and the police since the demonstrations started.
The foreign ministry said the cabinet had agreed to support a constitutional amendment bill that would address the main grievance of the Madhesis by increasing their presence in government bodies through proportional representation. “The process for the adoption of the constitution amendment bill tabled in the parliament will be advanced in order to ensure the participation in the state organs on the basis of proportionate inclusiveness,” a statement said. The protesters had also wanted changes in the country’s internal borders laid out in the new constitution which, according to them, will leave them under-represented in the parliament. “With regard to the demarcation of provinces... a political mechanism will be constituted, which will submit its report along with recommendations within three months,” an official said.
The Madhesi protests had soured relations between Nepal and its giant neighbour India. New Delhi was accused of supporting the protesters and stoking protests, but Kathmandu’s decision to amend the constitution now paves the way for restoring relations to the previous level. New Delhi has welcomed Kathmandu’s decision as a “positive step that (will) help create the basis for a resolution of the current impasse in Nepal.” “We urge all Nepali political forces to now demonstrate the necessary maturity and flexibility to find a satisfactory solution to the Constitutional issues through constructive dialogue in an agreed timeframe,” India’s foreign ministry said in a statement.
Nepal got a new constitution after a prolonged stalemate due to intense bickering between various groups. A devastating earthquake in April 2015, Nepal that killed over 9,000 people and injured more than 23,000 had pushed the warring political parties to reach an agreement. The adoption of the constitution was considered a huge breakthrough, but the Madhesi protests again pushed the country into a crisis.
The constitutional crisis and the earthquake have destroyed Nepal’s economy. The Madhesis haven’t reacted to the government proposal, though they are likely to welcome it. The government must work strenuously to solve all differences with the community. Nepal now needs peace and stability to rebuild its economy and focus on governance.
