Madheshi Clarion Call in the Parliament
Interim Constitution also Deceitful for the Madheshi People
- Rajendra Mahto
Leader, Parliamentary Party and General Secretary
Nepal Sadbhawana Party (A)
Honourable Speaker,
Today is really historic day, Hectic activities are on in the parliament. Adequate electronic media arrangements are made for countrywide live-telecast of the parliamentary proceedings. But, I have doubt, these proceedings may be suddenly disrupted by commercial advertisements because there is no law which prohibits such practices. It looks very odd and objectionable too. So, we need to have some laws forbidding sudden breaks during live-telecast of parliamentary proceeding. If taking break is a necessity the there should be provision for re-telecast.
Honourable Sir,
In the last movement of this parliament which was re-instated by the great people's movement, the 'Interim Constitution' is being promulgated and accordingly the new parliament will be installed or will come into being. And election for constituent assembly will take place for the first time in the history of Nepal which will make the constitution, and thus people of Nepal will make the constitution for themselves. So far constitutions in Nepal have been given either by the kings or by representatives of political parties. Therefore, this is historic day. But some ultra outfit, forces like Jantantric Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM) have called this day as black day giving explanation in their own way.
Honourable Sir,
The main guiding principles of the 'Interim Constitution' is establishment of democracy, peace and prosperity to drive the country onward. But mere mentioning of these words is not enough to realize the spirit of the objectives. What kind of democratic system we are going to establish in which every citizen is not going to be given equal status. Is it the real cause for which the great people's movement took place? We have visualized total democracy in which every citizen will have equal right. Now question is being raised whether the principle of proportional representation will be adopted in the election for constituent assembly? It is my conviction that the electoral system being adopted in the election for constituent assembly will not give equal value to votes of every citizen. It is just against the norms of democracy where every citizen irrespective of caste, colour, religion and region is given equal treatment. It is really betrayal with us and it is perhaps, the reason that some ultras of JTMM have called this day as black day.
Your Honour,
The 'Interim Constitution' has committed to the establishment of peace in the country and the respectable leader, Shushil Koirala has claimed that the politics of arms has come to an end. But I do not see any improvement in this regard. One armed outfit has been brought in but another is still hovering outside. We have to find out the root causes of the violence engulfing the whole country. Jai Krishna Goit and Jwala Singh of Jan Tantric Mukti Morcha (JTMM) have taken up arms. On behalf of my party I have been raising voice repeatedly that the issues raised by the people must be addressed, otherwise election for the constituent assembly will be paralyzed. Our party NSP has been raising these issues. Previously we were of the view that it was the hilly rulers who have exploited us but honble Narayanman Bijukshe made it clear that the exploiters are not the hilly people as a whole rather it is the 'Khas' community only who have exploited the whole country.
The deceitful behaviour of the 'Khas' community has not ended yet which is the only root cause of violence in the country. Government must pay attention to the 'Nine Points' demand of JTMM led by Jai Krishna Goit. Our party, Nepal Sadbhavana Party has been raising voice for peaceful resolution of the problems for the last fifteen years but we have been badly ignored and neglected and relegated and many derogatory remarks were made. Some people like Sushil Koirala use the word 'Madishe.' It is really derogatory. The right word is 'Madheshi' and we are proud of being Madheshi fighting for our rights.
Late Gajendra Narayan Singh, Founder President of 'Nepal Sadbhavana Party,' put up the problems before the government for peaceful resolution but his efforts went in vain. Some agreements with the government were made but not implemented and all the problems remained unsettled. Madheshi were not equitably recruited in the military, police and government services. Madhesh contributes 86% of the total revenue of the government but allocation for the development of Madhesh is negligible.
Honorable Sir,
I am putting my grievances in Hindi language which will not be kept on record. The government has turned deaf ear to our problems. Now some people have taken up another way i.e. the way of violence. We don't believe in violence, we always stand for peaceful resolution of any problem. If ruling class compells us to take up arms we will not hesitate doing so. In this situation peace of our imagination will not be realized at all. So, it is urgent to overcome the obstinacy of the 'Khas' ruling community. Equal rights and equitable participation in the governance will be the only way for establishment of peace in the country.
Your Honour,
Much have been talked about progress and prosperity of our people but the administrative division of the country has not been made on the basis of scientific considerations i.e. geography, culture population etc. Even small districts which have less than ten thousand population are being represented in the parliament. We are well known to the fact that the fundamental matters will be decided by the constituent assembly, but it is also quite clear that only those people will be elected to the constituent assembly who will work for the welfare of Madehshi community.
Your Honour,
It has also become apparent that Madheshi community has been suffering because of the Madheshi-opposing-parties-whip. This time people will caste their votes very cautiously keeping in view the constraint of the whip. So far candidates of various parties have been promising to the Madheshi people to do a lot for them but after being elected to the parliament they fail to do anything because of the whip of their respective parties.
We draw attention of the govt. towards some basic principles which are to be mentioned in the Interim Constitution i.e. basic democratic norms are to be maintained, the root causes of violence are to be addressed properly and there should be two separate ballot papers-one for 205 seats and another for 204 seats. We have noted down these points of dissension while signing the 'Interim Constitution'. And we called general strike on Poush 10 in favour of these points of dissensions and people responded with great zeal by closing the entire Madhesh region.
But some 'Khas' ruling people could not tolerate this success and created unruly situation at Nepalganj by looting shops and setting fire on shops and houses of the Madheshi people and humiliated them. All these happened because of tyrannical behaviour of the 'Khas' rulers. CD of these events are available which clearly shows that people involved in these activities belong to 'Khas hilly' community who were supported by the police force openly. This is really very shameful matter for the democratic government.
Your Honour,
This incident has made black spot on the good name of the democratic government, the home ministry has not taken any action against these criminals as yet. We suggested the home minister to take prompt against them otherwise lawlessness and disorder would spread in the entire Terai like wild fire.
Hence, I urge the government very earnestly to make necessary amendments in the 'Interim Constitution'. It should not be treated as 'Geeta' and 'Bible'. We have already committed mistakes by not amending the constitution of 2047 inspite of strong demand. We repeatedly brought resolutions for amendments in the constitution to solve the problems related with citizenship of millions of people, but the Government did not pay any attention. Today, that constitution has failed miserably.
Amendment in the 'Interim Constitution' is necessary for formation of New Nepal keeping in view the wishes and aspirations of the Great People's Movement. Otherwise Nepal will remain distorted as it was before the movement. And the Madhesi community will remain suppressed and exploited and that situation, of course, will be igniting.
(The speech delivered in the last session of the Reinstated Parliament by Hon. Rajendra Mahto, M.P (NSP.A) on 15th January 2007 and was brought on National Live Telecact throughout the country)
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