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VOL. 27, NO. 22, February 08, 2007 (Magh 25 2064 B.S.)
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‘Janjati Groups Want The CA Polls At Any Cost’
- Pasang Sherpa
Even as various groups have been organizing protest programs demanding that their concerns be addressed before the Constituent Assembly (CA) election, Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NFIN) - which was in the forefront of struggle of indigenous nationalities in recent past - is seen nowhere in the frontline. Why? PASANG SHERPA, president of NFIN, explains to KESHAB POUDEL, in a candid interview at the NFIN office at Sanepa, Monday. Excerpts:
We haven't seen NFIN on the streets these days. Your agitation has fizzled out, or what?
If burning the tires, buses, calling general strikes and paralyzing the lives are symbols of a forceful agitation, you are right. However, it does not mean that we are silent or inactive. We have been active in our own way.
What are you doing?
We have been doing what is needed to protect and promote the interest of the indigenous nationalities of Nepal. Our struggle is aimed at establishing our right. This has continued.
You plan to go the Terai groups’ way?
Some organize agitation even as the date for Constituent Assembly election draw closer. Interestingly, they withdraw all their agitation once the election is postponed. When the government expressed commitment to hold the election, they again speak a threatening language. We are not like that.
What is your objective then?
As indigenous nationalities, we need to be clear about the necessity to hold the election for Constituent Assembly. This is the reason we have been launching peaceful programs to press the government to implement the agreement. We don't want to create any disruption in holding the CA polls. We want to press the government that the election for CA should be held at any cost.
Do you have any specific program?
We are planning to bring peaceful programs soon. However, our program will not be directed at disrupting the election. We hold the view that the further postponement of election for CA will hurt the indigenous nationalities the most.
You will follow peaceful ways?
It will depend on how the government responds. The mood of agitation will be determined by the ground situation.
So, you do not rule out a violent movement altogether?
If the election is for change, it must be held to fulfill our interest as we are the marginalized group. We need to bring one or other kinds of programs for that purpose. That is the objective of our organization. We will launch our programs to bring the change in our favor. We will not hold any program to disrupt the election.
But various indigenous groups and regional groups have been launching agitations even to the extent of disrupting the elections. How do you look at it?
Although such groups identify themselves as indigenous entities, they are registered as political party and their aim is to get maximum votes in the coming election.
Are they doing the right thing?
As a political party, such programs may be necessary for them to create a conducive situation for them in the coming election. What NFIN wants is that all political parties should work to promote our interest. We will press political parties to look after our interests in the election. The government needs to address genuine demands raised by such political parties.
But, these parties are concerned with particular ethnic groups. Do you believe that these parties can protect the rights of all the indigenous groups in the region?
Of course, parties are set up in the names of Limbuwan and etc. but they should not only work for Limbu as they must accommodate all the indigenous communities living in the area. These parties, too, have to mobilize their programs in accordance with proportional representation and inclusive policy.
How do you distinguish your organization from other organizations which have been established recently to protect the rights of indigenous groups?
There are organizations like ours, which had been struggling for the protection and the promotion of the rights of indigenous people even before the popular movement of 2006. There are other organizations born after Janadolan II. The newly born organizations are backed by the elements in palace and their aim is to restore the king. So far as our organization is concerned, we have actively participated in Janandolan II to remove the monarchy.
Do you see any possibility of a working unity with such organizations?
There is no possibility of any working unity with these organizations, which are run by persons who were close to the king and the palace in the past. These new organizations are now trying to prove themselves as more revolutionary. Of course, the demands raised by the parties formed in the eastern part of the country are genuine but we see penetration of monarchists in their organizations.
What about your own organization. There may be infiltrators,too?
Our organization does not have any monarchist or any person linked with the palace. At a time when all other organizations including the mainstream political parties are penetrated by monarchists and external elements, I can claim that ours is the only organization, which does not have persons with such linkage.
How do you gurantee?
Look whenever the environment for CA election is made, these organizations announce one or other kinds of agitations. Whenever the election is postponed, they also postpone their agitation. Monarchists and some foreign elements do not want elections for CA in Nepal.
But you want it at any cost?
As an active partner of Janandolan II, we are committed to the CA polls. The poll is imperative for indigenous people to establish their rights and independent identity as well as to end centuries-long discrimination. This is the reason why we are playing more constructive role to hold the election for CA.
The unrest in Terai does not bode well, does it?
There are basically four types of groups involved in violent unrest and agitation in Terai. Some groups are criminal, others are backed by external elements and some are backed by the palace. But there are also some that are genuine political forces. Basically, the demands raised in Terai are largely against their marginalization and discrimination.
Many people belonging to indigenous groups have also reportedly suffered in the violent unrest there.
Alhough there is a penetration of criminal groups, the Terai movement is basically against discrimination and for recognition of the identity. This is the reason we have been maintaining restraint even when some members of our communities have been attacked. We have clearly said that the unrest in Terai should not lead towards disintegration of the nation. It should also not be against the indigenous communities of Terai like Meche, Dhimal, Thami, Tharu, Rajbanshi, Koche, and Danuwar. The land of Terai belongs to these indigenous groups and Mithila speakers
