Sandwiched between two major military and economic powers, India and China , Nepal is trapped in a prolonged political instability and chaos as no one can foresee the restoration of stability anytime soon. The chaos and violent upsurge of ethnic and regional groups is gradually pushing and even the Maoists find themselves sidelined by the resurgence of fringe parties. Although shortsighted politicians and so called members of civil society pressed for the promulgation of new interim constitution promising stability, following its proclamation - which has made all the institutions, values and ideals interim - Nepal has entered into a more complicated phase of flux. There are confusions and chaos everywhere as all kinds of regional and ethnic groups have sprouted demanding identity and autonomy. Every one is now talking about federalism, autonomy and right to self determination but no one is sure whether that would protect their identity. Although demands from autonomy to federalism and right to self determination are inciting chaos and confusion with long-term implications, Nepal as a nation has the capability to uphold heterogeneous interests of cast, ethnic communities and linguistic groups into a common thread and uphold the identity of Nepal . Although all of these groups have different religions, languages and ethnicity, they had been living together without any violent conflict in all parts of the country till now. Differences are there in the views and in the priorities but none of the powerful opinion groups has expressed separatist attitude against the unified Nepal . This is one positive aspect and also a reflection of ground reality.

Unfortunately, people of Nepal , at this critical juncture, have no leaders of wide acceptability like B.P. Koirala or even like King Birendra. With the population of more than 26 million, Nepal is multi-ethnic, multi-lingual and multi-religious with diverse geographical region. No single linguistic, ethnical or religious group has absolute majority in a particular region and/or pockets. From Madhes to hill and mountain, the country is diverse in culture, ethnicity, language and religion. Only unified Nepal can protect the identity of all ethnic, regional and religious groups. Once it is torn apart, all will lose their identities. There is a need to accommodate all forces and communities through the pursuance of national reconciliation as propounded by B.P. Koirala. Every one can secure their own identity as a Nepali if there is sense of accommodation and national reconciliation. A time-tested lesson for all ethnic, regional groups in this country as well as neighboring countries – which have huge stakes in Nepal – is that only a unified and integrated Nepal can well serve the interests of all.

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