here is an article published in Kathmandu Post today. the author can be reached at
.......
Here is an article published in kathmandu post today, The author can be reached at bipinshah@hotmail.com. Iwill request this artcle to be posted on ANTA website.
Dear Mr. Bhagat
I appriciate your contribution in Madhesi Movement. Please find the attache article and post it on web.
please send me Ashokji tel#.
To your coming Saturday gathering on Madhesi issue. Madhesi issue has become now national issue. I will try to come to the meeting. But if not I have attached my suggestions in a document. Your comments will be appreciated. But your critical analysis will be more than welcomed - on Federal Governance and Propotional Electoral System.
Prakash Bom
Dear Friends,
We all know the situation of Terai where innocents
people are being targeted by the bullets on the name
of Democracy. People of Nepal fought for restoration
of Democracy in Nepal (JA-II). But that Democracy was
not for everybody in Nepal. Interim constitution
failed to include Madheshis and Janjati and others.
Madheshis came to protest in peaceful way but Govt. is
trying to suppress the basic human rights of people of
Nepal. About 27 people were killed ( more than
Janandolan -II) and thousands of people were injured.
We appeal to all of our friends to show their
generosity to help the victims of Terai unrest as a
gesture to humanity.
ANTA is raising fund for the victims. ANTA is a Tax
exempt organization and hence your donation could be
tax exempt. You can pledge for the donation by
emailing at ljha@jeo.com/ binodshah@yahoo.com and also
feel free to contact us and visit ANTA web site
www.terai.org.
Please make your check payable to "ANTA". In memo,
please write "For Victims of Terai Movement". Please
mail your check to:
Lalit Jha; Treasurer, ANTA; P O Box: 242; Wahoo, NE
68066
Thank you very much
Binod Shah
Dear all:
Attached is the status of collection of fund raised by ANTA as of Feb 6rd, to help victims of recent Terai movement. We are pleased to inform you that we have crossed $15,000.00 in pledges. Thank you very much to all who have already pledged and sent the check. Special thanks to Nepalese America Council (NAC) members for generous contribution. If you or your friends like to donate for this cause, please send your donation as soon as possible. The pledge for the donation can be made by emailing at ljha@jeo.com . Just as a reminder, ANTA is a Tax exempt organization and hence your donation could be tax exempt.
Please make your check payable to “ANTA”. In memo, please write “For Victims of Terai Movement”. Please mail your check to:
Lalit Jha; Treasurer, ANTA; P O Box: 242; Wahoo, NE 68066
We also encourage you to visit ANTA web site www.terai.org for periodic update on what ANTA is doing for ongoing Terai movement. We would also like to hear any suggestion/comments on what ANTA or you can, during this difficult period in our country. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to write to any of the ANTA’s executive members. We really appreciate your time and consideration to this important cause. If you have pledged but do not see your name in the spreadsheet, please email me.
Sincerely,
Lalit Jha
Treasurer, ANTA
www.terai.org
Dr. Shah
Thank you very much for your wise and meaningful presentation. But in my
view a true
madheshi should never forget that there will not be full liberation if we do
not bring REPUBLIC system in Nepal. So please rethink over it and plead for
Republic, which is a prime demand of the Madheshi Jan Andolan.
Thank you again for your efforts.
Satya Narayan
Dear All,
I request you all to put pressure and convince both the government and the
Madheshi movement group to immediately start dialogue for peaceful
resolution. We do not want to loose the hard earned democracy in Nepal.
The attached file describes the major issues and the framework for peaceful
resolution. It is being widely circulated both in Nepal and abroad
including all the international agencies.
Best regards,
Shree
Dr. Shree Govind Shah
Chairperson
Ad hoc Committee, Federation of Madheshi Community Nepal
G.P.O.Box 8975, EPC # 1830
Kathmandu, Nepal
Phone/Fax: ++ 977-1-5526 903
Email:
sgs@erma.wlink.com.npDear All Madhya Pradesh Basi Ji,
I hope to include e- mail address and submit Madheshi friend e-mail address to the programme initiatiated by Paramendra Ji http:/www. madhesi.net with your opinion.
With regards,
Rajendra P. Shah
NON VIOLENCE MUST BE PRACTICED
Dr Bindeshwar Prasad Yadav
There is no doubt that present world is fairer than it was in the past. Day by day it is progressing towards better justice.
Justice must prevail.
“Truth must prevail. Justice must prevail.” This is the basis that people have overpowered king- rule in Nepal . Next truth, in context of Nepal , is indirect colonization of over 12 million, approximately half the country population, since 1813 BC. On the basis of same principle “Truth must prevail; Justice must prevail” colonization of Madheshis must come to end.
Madheshis movement
Present Madheshwide, from east to west, Madheshi movement is acknowledging that dark night of discrimination and exploitation has come to end; it is the time of dawn of Madheshis rights and autonomy. The important aspect is the process. This process would have significant influence over our coexistence and national integrity.
If the process of delivery of autonomy of Madheshis is done sooner and smoothly in light of United Nations Human Rights declarations Nepal will be transformed into a true and real unified state; and people will live together peacefully in the spirit of national brotherhood. On the other hand, if government sponsored police brutally killing of innocent people, firing on people in the market and streets, putting shops on fires will continue then only jealously, hatred and enmity will grow, and Nepal will break into pieces.
What the Madheshis movement is about
Have you asked your inner being (your soul) what this Madheshis movement is about?
Government media is imposing that it is for a separate country. Getting influence with this idea government is sponsoring killing of innocent people.
I would like to ask those who believe or think like this.
Is a separate country “Madhesh” the best option?
In my opinion, NOT.
The best option is true and real unified Nepal with autonomous Madhesh and other states with population proportionate partnership in national prospective.
On the other hand, the worst option is present state of false unification with discrimination and humiliation. Fortunately, Madheshis people have awakened and proved capability to come out of indirect colonization. They have been offering SAHADAT to confirm their freedom and autonomy. Now, Madheshis will not accept on going discrimination. At present, it is totally depends upon those who are ruling the country and taking all benefits at the cost of Madheshis. Issue is very clear. Will their ego, power lust and selfishness offer Madheshis rights and autonomy? If, yes. Certainly people will go for the best option- living peacefully in true unified Nepal . If, not. It will be compulsion for Madheshis to go for complete freedom, a sovereign state that is neither desirous nor the best, but a compulsive option. It would be simply compulsion and the state rulers will be whole responsible for this unfortunate happening.
Autonomous Madhesh within true and real unified Nepal is the most desirable, highly appreciable and hearty acceptable the best option. Under cover of unification, indirect colonization is reject- able. Complete separate sovereign state Madhesh is not desirable, but would be compulsive option.
Madheshis-sahadat
In the world, many people are dying daily due to diseases, accident, homicides and suicides. But, those Madheshis who are getting bullet are not dying. They are immortal. They are great soul. Service to distressed Madheshis is service to Almighty God. Their souls are united with the Supreme soul. They are in peace.
Nonviolence must be practiced
Violence favours none. Nonviolence favours everyone and all. Present state sponsored violence in southern Nepal/Madhesh is shame and sign of ignorance of our national ruler ministers. Nepalese history speaks that late king Birendra never supported use of army against Maoist; and he remained popular even among the Maoist. However, king Gynendra used armed against Maoist; and finally has become responsible for the end of king rule.
In this connection, I would like to draw your attention towards Gandhi’s view and practice- “He strongly objected to congress ministers calling upon the army and police to break up striking workers or stop protestors, arguing that would only “admit” congress’s “impotence”.
History is full of evidences that, in past century, several colonial countries have got freedom with means of nonviolence. The power of nonviolence, the power of truth, the power of spirit/soul is many folds greater than the power of bullets and bombs. Mahatma Gandhi experimented these powers to achieve free India .
Please allow me to suggest my view. Both Nepal government and Madheshis agitators must practice nonviolence. For agitators have faith in your victory, have patients, begin talk with government, ask government to talk, wait for action of government. There should be no place for ego. Determination and persistence are main pillars for victory. For me, it has become one objective of my life to preach and promote the power of nonviolence, strength of love and spiritual vigor for rights and autonomy of Madhesh. I have unshakable faith in the victory, I can act and wait, but never ever support violence and hatred.
For the government must come out of ego of power. They also should practice nonviolence and tolerance while dealing with agitators/protestors. Application of bullet on unarmed people must be prohibited. Now, it is confirmed that application of army and police would not stop human rights of Madheshis and autonomy of Madhesh. Of course, it would increase the toll of shahid. But the country would pay unaffordable price for it. To prevent Nepal becoming like Somalia , Sri Lanka or Iraq smooth handover of autonomy to Madhesh is mandatory.
Love for hill dwellers
We all must have a clear picture in our mind and heart that this movement is a political movement, not a racial. It is for Madheshi’s birth right political power that has been snatched by some KHAS hill dwellers and their closers. It is nothing against common millions hill dwellers. Some hill dwellers brothers have written great truthful articles in favour of Madheshis. Some are doing great jobs for justice and truth. Madhesh mother would feel proud to call them sons. Any short of hatred against them would be injustice with humanity and God. Therefore, we must increase our love and respect for common hill dwellers as we intensify our movement for rights. It would multiply the effect of our movement. It is spiritual law.
Hi Paramendra,
Hope that all is well. A quick question, are you up for another round of interview with me? Want to hear more about your views on the terai issue. I was hoping to hear them all during the panel discussion at the New School but need to leave for DC on Friday for something quite urgent and hence won't be able to come. But I suppose you will be recording it all. In any case, please let me know if you will be free one of these days.
-Bandita
p.s. Met your sister and brother-in-law a few days back. You have a very sweet sister.
Feb. 6, 2007
Dear Paramendra Bhagat Jee,
Namaste and regards.
Please allow me to present my view on the United Nepal.
Please publish it in your DFN web site and forward it to interested friends.
Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
Tilak Shrestha
United Nepal February 2007
Tilak B. Shrestha, Ph.D. tilakbs@hotmail.com
It is really a bad idea to divide Nepal and make it a federal system. Our problem is not being non-federal; nor will being a federal solve it. How about problems more pronounced within Terai: Dalits, Women, Tharu etc. Are we also going to create federal states for Dalits, Women and others too? The political structure of Nepal is a matter of clear thinking and debate in view of the long term interests of all. It should not be an issue of appeasing a violent sub-group.
Our problem is non-empowerment of many sub-groups among our people. That must be addressed. We must and technically we do recognize such sub-groups; and design strategies towards their inclusion. That is best done by providing targeted better educational and economic opportunities and political participations. For example, take a case of a Dalit woman in Terai. She is in triple jeopardy. How her problem will be solved by the federal system? Let us not forget that she is being looked down by her neighbors and males of her own family. Can we solve it by beating up a high caste, male Nepali some where up in the Hill? How about giving her educational, job and encouragement to vote? It may not sound sexy or violent enough, but such steps do make society move.
It is not about side stepping the issue. For example, in USA the historical discrimination against African American is a well understood fact. Yet, no prominent African American leaders demand race specific concession. They are all for education and job opportunities for poor Americans, regardless of race. Because making it a race issue will fossilize the issue in the society along with attendant tension and division. It will not solve the basic problems of African American, rather will add problem to every body. Therefore demanding progress of all poor American, both white and black, is much wiser politics. It is the platform, where all Americans can come together. It does not divide nation by race. And of course, majority of Americans benefiting from such policies will be African American. It will not allow petty African American politicians benefit by harping on race issue. The assistance goes directly to the targeted sub-group where it is most cost effective. As the national integration progress the race issue will become redundant. An Iranian proverb puts, ‘Wise man learns from others experiences. Fools learns from own mistakes.’
Dividing Nepal creates more problems without solving any. The division will merely fossilize the problems within each state; create tension between ethnic groups and the states. On top of that the economy of scale, small as it is, will suffer. The petty leaders will rule at the expense of national statesmen.
It is really a shortsightedness and intellectual poverty to consider our problem as a tension between Hill and Terai people. This is not accurate historically or socially. How a Gurung from Annapurna Mountain or a Sherpa from Solokhumbu exploited a Madhesi in Janakpur? Are they a part of exploiting class or a part of exploited class in different settings? How a Nepali living in Itahari feels closer to another living in Dhanagarhi, but not with some one living in Dharan? Our problem is feudal lords, Jimuwals and Jamindars, soaking up revenue in and from all over Nepal; and the corrupt political leaders. That includes both Pahadi and Madhesi lords and leaders. Most of the Hill people in Terai are economic migrants. Matter of fact they are migrating to India also. The motivation is the lack of opportunity in Hills. They are trying to make a living, not exploiting Madhesi people. When did Hill people invade Terai? Earlier Terai belt suffered from malaria and other tropical disease and only hardy indigenous people could survive. Many enterprising Jamindars, both Nepalese and Indian, tried to colonize it with full support of Nepal government. Only after the eradication of malaria last century the major migration begun. The migration has been from India as well as from Nepalese hills. Thus the migration is a natural and inclusive.
Yes, we must express in concrete term that Nepal is a multi-lingual and a multi-ethnic nation as being declared time and time again, in old or new constitutions. How do you propose to do that? Is it by education, having cultural zones; or violence and division?
What is a Nepali nationhood? Can we see unity in diversity or only irreconcilable differences? If a Newar from Kathmandu could not distinguish a Madheshi Nepali from an Indian tourist, where is the hostility? Is it a matter of simply correcting a misunderstanding or a legitimate case for violence? Which Nepali institution or political party systematically alienates any groups in Nepal, Madhesi or otherwise? If there are any, do not we have to point out and raise the issue peacefully first, before blanket accusation and violence? How to define ‘we’ and ‘they’? Do we go by the ideal of 'Bashundhaiwa Kukumbakama' or have ‘Mahabharata’ war between cousins? The argument is not about defending status quo, but about using peaceful democratic method as the first option. What exactly are the problems facing Madhesi or Janajatis in the context of Nepalese society at large, and is there peaceful way to address it? We must be clear on both counts before justifying violence and division.
Let us talk about so called dominant Bahun and Chhetri groups. What percentage of Hill people are they? Does any Bahun and Chhetri gets free government stipend merely being so? Yes, there is disproportionate number of them in key positions. But then is it nepotism or casteism? In Nepal, did we ever have caste war like between Shia and Sunni in Iraq happening now? Matter of fact, many subgroups thinks themselves being discriminated – Rai, Magar, Newar, Thakali; you name it. How far we want to go? Historically, Pandeys murdered Thapas, Thapas murdered Pandeys; Ranas murdered both. And all of them left Madhesi, Sherpa, Dalits, women alone. Same pattern repeated all over Nepal, including Madhesh between local petty chiefs. Those events are political struggles in the by gone eras, not relevant today. If Madhesi, for that matter any other ‘Janajatis’, are not well represented in the national main stream; then we have to ask what the reasons are. Is it constitutional, administrative or societal? Which section of constitution discriminates? If it is administration, then is not it a matter of the ‘Members of Parliament’ acting within? If it is societal, then is not it a matter of education and cultural exchanges? This must be put in the context of all the under represented sub-groups in Nepal. How does dividing Nepal in to two parts, Madhesh and Pahad, will help?
It is so sad to see a few disgruntled and intellectually lazy people trying to vent their prejudice and anger against weakening Nepalese nationalism. When Europeans with a long history of animosity and wars are coming together to create the European Union; we Nepalese sadly are talking about dividing Nepal and start a civil war.
The basic questions we have to think through are: What is the vision of Nepal tomorrow? Where are we now? Why are we here? And what route do we take? Let us have a vision that we are the flowers of different hues of a single garland. Let us appreciate and celebrate the cultural diversity. Let a Nepali citizen may live any where in Nepal without any prejudice of caste, creed, gender or language. Today our nation has many positives along with a few negatives. It is the hang over from our feudal past. We are now citizens of Nepal, not feudal subjects. Let us take peaceful democratic route as the first option.
Last but not least, let us remember our Dharma and roots. This is what connects us – Nepali. Let Dharma give us light and guidance in these dark times. Let us not forget our roots go before King Janak and King Yalamber. Let Gnan yoga help us to understand the consequences of our policies. Let Karma yoga help us to distinguish between national and self interests. Let Raj yoga help us to keep motivation clean, and avoid anger and fear. Let Bhakti yoga help us to foster enough neighborly love. Let our spirituality define the framework on which mechanics of politics operate.
Let truth shine over falsehood, and light over darkness.
“Asato ma sadagamaya, Tamaso ma jyotirgamaya”
Dear Dr. Shree Govind Ji:
I was waiting to see such committee formed. We will definitely help as much as we can. We'll try to transfer approx. 6.5 lakhs from NMA account (remaining from JA-2) immediately. Can Dr. Ram Kewal ji contact Dr. Sudha Sharma, President of NMA, to release the NAC's funds to Madheshi Movement Victim Relief Fund (MMVRF)? I'll send the needed authorization to both the parties.
Please do make sure that the funds reach the most needy. That's the only concern we have. I assure you that raising monies will NOT be a problem as long as the raised funds go to right victim. I'll soon be in Nepal to make sure that our donors' monies reach the real victims.
I appreciate your continued cooperation.
Thank you,
Ratan Jha
President - ANTA
www.terai.orgI think this is pretty well organized and accountable effort worthy of
our support.
Pramod Kantha
Paramendra,
Sorry to retract but it is unlikely I can make it on Saturday - Arbin's wife
had a baby and that is the only day I can make a trip out to see them.
Pawan
sure..next email onwards..
On 2/6/07, Paramendra Kumar Bhagat <paramendra@yahoo.com> wrote: http://www.madhesi.netAlso publicize this site!
:-)
Paramendraji:
Will you kindly stop using the word 'Pahade Bahun'? What is wrong with
you? If Madheshi could be offensive to some, the word 'Pahade Bahun' could
be offensive to others.
I appreciate your effort to raise Madheshi awareness, but I don't think
one discrimination is fought by another discrimination. When your fight is
against the state coercion, preaching communal hatred doesn't make you
stronger.
Biswo
Please remove me from your list.
HK
Our demand is Right for madheshi. Not less than that?
Dear All,
PM of Nepal declared the country as a federal state.
Thank you all
Bhupal Lamichhaney
PLS UNSUBSCRIBE ME ASAP
plz take my add off the mailing list
Please take me off this email list!
Thanks
Can you please remove me from your mailing list? Thanks.
Please unsubscribe me to this list. Thanks.
