Friday, October 17, 2014

Nepal's Population: One Count


The total comes to 96.34. Over three per cent are not accounted for. But is this accurate? Are the Madhesis (minus the Tharu, the Muslim, the Terai Dalit) only 15% of the population? Are all of them together only 35% of the population? Frankly I don't know. But I am a little suspicious.

I have never been the one to argue the Tharu, the Muslim and the Terai Dalit are all Madhesi, whether they like it or not. If those three groups do not want to wear the Madhesi hat, they have every right not to do so. One can choose to be a Tharu and a Nepali, not a Tharu who is also a Madhesi who is Nepali. The same applies to Muslims and the Terai Dalits. I think it is in the best interests of the Terai Dalit to claim an independent identity. They are not exactly "accepted" within the Madhesh.

नेवार त धेरै बुद्धिस्ट छन। भने पछि पहाड़मा बाहुन, क्षेत्री र दलित छन, वैस्य छँदै छैनन् त? That is interesting.

यो तथ्याङ्क सही हो भने त एक मधेश एक प्रदेश होइन, एक मधेश ३-४ प्रदेश बनाउनु पर्ने देखिन्छ।