Democracy For Nepal

Sunday, June 18, 2006

June 17 Madhesi Gathering In New York City

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Press Release

June 17, 2006.

Many Madhesis in New York City gathered at the Nepali Mandir in Woodside, Queens, New York City, for a five hour plus discussion marathon starting at noon. Chairs were arranged in a circle to facilitate an egalitarian participation by members. Lunch was provided through the initiative of some of the more active members.

This has been touted as the largest gathering of Madhesis in American history to date.

The format of the meeting that had been circulated over email days before was ditched and participants delved straight into the key issue of the plight of the Madhesis.

Some of the key issues that were discussed were the Madhesi identity, the use of the word Madhesi, as to how much of the sorry socio-economic plight of the Madhesis can be attributed to personal deficiencies, namely in education and income, and how much to structural prejudices and discrimination, and there was a broad, heated discussion on ANTA, Association of the Nepali Teraian in America. Some members felt there was a caste imbalance among the ANTA leadership. Others felt those who launched the organization where none existed should be congratulated, and their early deficiencies ignored. There was a broad consensus there should be reform within the organization (Reform ANTA), and that elections should be held for the central leadership positions for the first time during the ANA convention. Members who can not make it in person should also be allowed to vote. There was even talk of launching another Madhesi organization that would work in close cooperation with ANTA. But then it was also felt there are too few Madhesis in the US in the first place. Caste issues have to be dealt with keeping in mind the larger issue of Madhesi unity.

There was a broad agreement that more meetings like this one ought to be held.

It was pointed out ANTA is a social, cultural organization. Those interested in hard core political work for Madhesi rights were encouraged to join Hamro Nepal and several did on the spot.

Binay Shah and Ritesh Chaudhary are the President and Vice President respectively of the New York City chapter of ANTA. Paramendra Bhagat is the founding President of Hamro Nepal. Satya Narayan Yadav, his wife, Biplav Yadav, Satyendra Shah, Bisundev Mahato, Hari Mahaseth, Yogita Mahaseth, and Tara Shah were some of the participants. There were also some guest participants, like the Nepali Mandir founder Chandra Prakash Sharma, Tina Shrestha, and Ram Chandra.

It was suggested there has to a common minimum program around which all Madhesi activists can gather. Federal republic could be one, Hindi another, affirmative action, abolishing the two armies that are Pahadi armies, and citizenship certificates before the constituent assembly elections for the 6 million Madhesis that have been denied the same.

There was a brief discussion also of Dalit and women's rights issues within the Terai.

It was decided to work for the 13 million Madhesis in Nepal with added vigor in the run up to the constituent assembly elections in Nepal.

Madhesi Gathering Photos 2
Madhesi Gathering Photos

June 7 Madhesi Rally In Janakpur

NWPP objects government’s decisions NepalNew one of the senior ministers of the coalition government, minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Hridayesh Tripathi, has expressed dissatisfaction over formation of a committee to draft interim constitution, according to reports.
Speaking at a programme in the capital on Saturday, Tripathi said the constitution drafting committee is not inclusive, adding, “All parties were not consulted before announcing the committee.”

The top level talks between the Maoists and the ruling seven political parties had constituted a six-member committee under former Supreme Court Justice Laxman Prasad Aryal to draft the interim statute.
He also stressed on resolution of citizenship problem and fresh census before the elections to the proposed constituent assembly to make the process inclusive.

Maoist leaders in nationwide campaign; Prachanda reaches Doti

Matrika Yadav Voices Madheshis' Grievances

THT Online

Kapilvastu, June 18

Maoist central leader and chief of the Madhesh republican government, Matrika Yadav, on Saturday warned that if Madheshi people did not get citizenship before the election to a constituent assembly, Madheshis would boycott the election.

Addressing a mass meeting organized by the Maoists' Kapilvastu district committee in Taulihawa, Yadav said that citizenship was the only means to cast vote. If Madheshis were deprived of citizenships, there would be a revolt.

"The Madheshi people should show their bravery not by raising guns but by raising sticks now; the right should be obtained through force of movement and agitation," Yadav said.

People would not feel a sense of peace until there is an end to the problem of discrimination on the basis of caste, race, region and sex in the country.

"We will not make any agreement until Madheshi people enjoy full rights," Yadav said, adding that there should be the guarantee of citizenship, education, health service and employment.

Lauding the eight points of agreement between the seven political parties and Maoists, Yadav said, "We have the challenge of how to settle the problem of merging the Nepalese army and the Jana Mukti Sena." While blaming the international community for supporting monarchy, Yadav, however, said that international human rights bodies were a must in the county.

Maoist central member and deputy in-charge of Gandak Region, Pampha Bhusal said that people don't want even a ceremonial King. It was a shame that Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala was talking about a ceremonial role for the King at a time when everyone wants a republic.

Bhusal urged the people to nominate only those candidates for a constituent assembly who are in favour of a republic and vote for a republic in the election.

She pointed out the need for international mediation to stop the unsavoury activities of both the Jana Mukti Sena and the Nepalese army in the election to a constituent assembly.

Maoist central advisor Meghraj Gyawali, commander of the fourth division of Krishna Sen Memorial Brigade Munal, central member of the All Nepal Revolutionary Teachers' Association Bheshraj Bhusal, central member of Tharu Rastriya Mukti Morcha Ram Magal Tharu and central member of the All Nepal Women Association (R) Shova Kattel also expressed their views on the occasion.