COVER STORY (Spotlight Weekly)

Battle For Recognition

Nepal is well known worldwide for its multiple culture, religion and ways of life. With the restoration of democracy, various ethnic and indigenous groups have begun to express their grievances. The waves of discussions and debates over the issue of ethnic conflicts and cultural, religious and lingual discrimination has gripped the nation. The recognition of separate identity of ethnic groups contributes to strengthen the process of national integration

By KESHAB POUDEL

A group of young boys and girls attired in their traditional dresses and ornaments made a pleasant appearance during the inaugural ceremony of the Fourth National Convention of Federation of Nationalities of Nepal (Nepal Janjati Mahasangh) at Birendra International Convention Center at New Baneshwor - demonstrating the variety of culture of various ethnic groups of the country.

The ornaments, dresses, languages and faces of five dozen ethnic groups at the opening ceremony on 7 August 2000 reflected how diverse Nepal is in terms of religion, culture and language. When the federation was set up ten years ago, only a small number of ethnic groups was attached with it.

The participation of large number of ethnic groups showed the growing interest of young people to link themselves as a member of particular ethnic group. "This is good news as different ethnic groups have now started to assert themselves and project their problems," said professor Dr. Dilli Ram Dahal, who teaches anthropology at Tribhuwan University Central Campus.

A group of ethnic women : Awareness is rising

As Nepal's population composition is very complicated, one has to take great care to respect the sensitivity of others.

"Every individual is free to raise its problems and to ask for social and political recognition but raising radical slogans will only harm the harmonious relations between different ethnic groups," said Professor Dr. Rishi Keshab Raj Regmi, head of the Sociology and Anthropology Department of Tribhuwan University.

Whoever rules the country, Nepal's ethnic diversity has never been disputed. As early as during the time of King Prithvi Narayan Shah, the King had made an interesting analogy about the country's ethnic composition. He compared the state to a garden of many different species of flower. The problem was that for decades ethnic groups were not allowed to express their inner feelings.

It seems that one of the trends of recent ethnic movement is to challenge Bahunbad (Brahminism) and Hindu religion. Every ethnic leader who wants to portray himself as radical start his speech by first attacking Bahun and Hindu religion.

"When Bahuns are dominating ethnic groups, they must take the responsibility," said Dr. Krishna Bahadur Bhattachan, an ethnic activist. "As long as Nepal does not declare itself as a secular state, we will continue to oppose Bajimbad."

Others look at the intention of these activists in a strange manner. "No one is uttering a word when a large number of ethnic groups are being converted to Christianity. It is strange why they are only prompted at speaking against Hinduism?" asked Dr. Regmi.

Some ethnic leaders do not agree with King Prithvi Narayan Shah's analogy of the garden. They say that rather than flowers of a garden, ethnic communities of the country have remained merely as weeds.

Oppressed by different political regimes in the past, the ethnic communities have finally found their voice demanding ethnic recognition following the restoration of democracy.

Although ethnic activists from "hills" raise the issue of discrimination in appointments to the state machinery as one of their major concerns, the data speaks otherwise.

As Nepal's power is hill-centric, after Brahmins and Chhetris ethnic groups of hilly areas have been taking most of the benefits than those from the terai and inner terai region. "There are different types of groups even within these ethnic groups," said Dr. Dahal.

Ethnic Newar : Recalling old days.

After Brahmin and Chhetris, Newars have more influence in the power structure. The ethnic groups like Thakali, Rai, Limbu and Gurung are much better placed than Tharus and Magars.

The Madhesiyas of Terai who comprise more than 40 percent of the country's total population are getting smaller benefits. According to the study by Govinda Neupane in his book "Nepal's Caste Question And Social Structure", 31.6 percent (out of total Nepalese population) people representing the Khash and Brahmin community occupy 66.5 percent of the administrative positions including that in judiciary, executive and legislature. The 22.2 percent Mangol -Kirat population occupy 7.1 percent, 30.9 percent of Madhesiyas occupy 11.2 percent. However 5.6 percent of Newar occupy 15.2 percent of similar administrative positions.

This is a clear indication of distribution of opportunities to those who are close to power center. Since Newar community enjoys closeness to the power center, they have received more benefits than the rest.

Some of the groups are most backward in terms of economic, social and cultural development. In the last ten years, one can hear the voices of discrimination from fringe ethnic groups like Bote, Thami, Tajpuria, Chepang, Kishan, Jirel, Dhimal and Hyau. New leaders are emerging from these communities.

The awareness is also a result of combined effort from the government-formed committees - National Committee for Development of Nationalities and the different ethnic groups which have been working for the promotion and protection of culture, religion and language of ethnic groups.

However, the priorities of various ethnic groups are different. Some want recognition of their language and others see the preservation of their culture and religion as more important. "The common agenda among them is the demand for recognition of their social and political identity," said Dr. Bhattachan.

One of the achievements of the struggle of the last ten years is that the government has categorized the ethnic groups recognizing the identity.

After the final definition, the long duel over who belongs to an ethnic groups is almost settled. According to the interpretation by the government, ethnic groups are those who have their own mother tongue, traditional costume and rituals and those who do not fall into the four fold Hindu Barnashram system.

The interpretation was based on the recommendations by working groups set up in 1997 which defined ethnic groups as those groups of people who have separate cultural identity and tradition, customs and language; whose traditional social structure is based on equality; who have written and unwritten history; who have their own traditional geographical territory and who have the feeling of "us".

Interestingly, most of the ethnic groups speak Tibeto-Burman languages and follow animism and Buddhist religion. The ethnic activists disagreed over the phrase "socially and economically backward" while defining the status of ethnic groups.

The different ethnic groups were front runners during the national integration and freedom struggle. The people from many ethnic groups spearheaded the Nepali Congress's struggle against Panchayat and Rana regime and became house hold names in Nepal.

Nepal's ethnic struggle is always peaceful and harmonious. The result of the last three elections have shown that people rejected those who raised radical slogans.

Some even registered the political parties in the name of ethnic groups but their candidates were not voted in the elections. The voters mainly chose the candidates of mainstream political parties like Nepali Congress, RPP and Communist Party of Nepal Unified Marxist and Leninist.

Even some of the crusaders who claim themselves as the messiah of a particularethnic group lost embarrassingly in the elections. Even at local level, voters chose candidates on the basis of political parties rather than on ethnic ground.

"Whatever the radical slogans the ethnic activists use to lure their community, they are discarded by the people," said Dr.Regmi.

But the leaders/activists of ethnic groups look at it otherwise. "The patience and tolerance of ethnic groups are ebbing out as most of the political parties have exploited them," said Dr. Bhattachan. "If rulers will not peacefully hand-over the power of them, they may have to pay high price."

"The support of communities was taken for granted by major political parties. Now, many ethnic groups are undecided over their political stance," said sociologist and pro-ethnic activist Dr. Bhattachan.

Due to intense pressures from different groups within the party and outside, Nepali Congress government has made some steady efforts to recognize the ethnic groups. "Although Congress is one of the worst party in terms of raising the voice in favor of ethnic groups, it took some important decisions in recognizing the rights of those groups," said Dr. Bhattachan.

With special order in 1998, the Congress government has set up National Committee for Development of Nationalities under the Ministry of Local Development and published the list of ethnic groups.

The Committee has already spent more than 30 million rupees to carry out different research works in the areas of language, religion and cultural development.

"The government seems eager to continue the work to preserve the religion, language and culture of the different ethnic groups," said Dr. Chaitanya Subba, executive director of National Committee for Development of Nationalities.

According to the census of 1991, the population of ethnic groups consisted of 35.6 percent. Among them Magars, Tharu, Newar, Tamang, Rai, Gurung and Limbu shared 7.24, 6.5, 5.6, 5.5, 2.8, 2.4 and 1.6 percent respectively. The percentage share of ethnic population may further increase if other 35 fringe groups are also included.

Although the government has declared 61 groups as ethnic groups, only a handful of them have been raising their voices while most of the fringe groups are yet to raise their voice.

"The identification and recognition of ethnic groups is one of the positive parts of the struggle. It also helps to distinguish which are backward and forward among them," said Professor Dr. Dahal.

Unlike the early days of restoration of democracy, the issue of ethnicity and indigenous groups are no more strange to the common man. After the establishment of National Committee for Development of Nationalities by the government and similar other ethnic organizations by the private sector, the speed to recognize the problems of ethnic groups has gone up. A bill on the ethnic groups has already been tabled in the Upper House.

"Nepal does have ethnic problems. It is very obvious because Nepal is a country of ethnic diversity. And that diversity is determined both by physical geography and sources of migration from different direction," said former minister and ethnic intellectual Dr. Harka Gurung (see box). "Nepal is a patchwork of ethnic minority. No one is in absolute majority."

Of late, there has been a wave among ethnic groups to assert themselves and demand recognition of their identity. Different ethnic groups are bringing out their agenda through different channels.

The large participation in the Fourth National Convention of Federation of Nationalities of Nepal was an indication how all ethnic groups are concerned in protecting their rights.

"Culture is a process of adaptation. People will change when the culture is not accommodative to the situation," said Professor Dr. Dahal. "How many Brahmins today take ablutions in the river and how many of them are following their traditional role of Pundit. Unlike in the past, offsprings of Brahmin are not restricted to learning a particular language because the adaptation process has drastically changed their cultural behavior."

Just a decade ago, ethnicity and indigenous issues were limited to academic exercise but today it has come out into the open area of lively debate --a positive result of decade long democratic practice.

According to the government declaration 61 ethnic groups are recognized (Janajati -- ethnic and indigenous groups).

Himali region

1. Bhote 2. Sherpa 3. Thakali 4. Dolpo 5. Lohomi (Singsaba) 6. Lohopo 7. Larke (Nupraba) 8. Siyar (Chumba) 9. Mugali 10. Barha Gaunle 11. Manage 12. Balung 13. Thudam 14. Tangbe 15. Topkegola 16. Marfali 17. Thintan 18. Chimtan 19. Syangtan 20. Chairotan 21.Byasi

Hill Region

1. Chepang 2. Gurung 3. Jirel 4. Lepcha 5. Limbu 6. Newar 7. Magar 8. Rai 9. Sunuwar 10. Tamang 11. Thami 12. Dura 13. Hayu 14. Chantyal 15. Hyolmo 16. Pahari 17. Bhujel\Gharti 18 Baramo 19. Surel 20. Kusunda 21. Free 22. Kuswadia 23. Bankaria

Inner Terai

1. Bote 2. Danuwar 3. Kumal 4. Darai 5. Majhi 6. Raji 7. Raute

Terai

1. Dhanuk (Rajbanshi) 2. Dhimal 3. Gangai 4. Rajbanshi(Coach) 5. Tharu 6. Meche (Bodo) 7. Kishan 8. Satar (Santhal) 9. Tajpuria 10. Jhangad

"No Caste Or Ethnic Group Has Majority"

— Dr. Harka Gurung

Former Minister Dr. HARKA GURUNG is one of the renowned scholars of Nepal. A scholar of geography, Dr. Gurung provides intellectual support to the cause of ethnic groups of Nepal. Dr. Gurung spoke to SPOTLIGHT on various issues related to the ethnic problems in Nepal. Excerpts:

How do you see the state of ethnic problems in Nepal?

The ethnic problem in Nepal is very obvious as it is a country with ethnic diversity. And that diversity is determined both by physical geography and sources of migration from different directions. Therefore, Nepal is a patchwork of ethnic minorities. No one is in a majority. Even Chhetris and Brahmins, though they are cast people, belong to certain ethnic group. They are also not in the absolute majority. So the country of minority will naturally have ethnic problems. Until 1951 AD, Shah and Rana ruler's obvious policy was not to recognize the minorities' rights because the idea of rights was not there in those days. But state as a policy of homogenizing brought everyone under one religion, culture and language. But after 1990 when democracy was restored, to continue the same philosophy of Hindu Kingdom was not acceptable to ethnic minorities who were much more conscious of their rights. The present Constitution drafted after the resurgence of democracy itself is not egalitarian - that is why ethnic minorities are seeking their rights.

Some groups and individuals are politicizing this issue for their own good. How do you look at it?

It is quite obvious that some people are utilizing ethnic issues politically because it is a political problem. As I earlier said no caste and ethnic group has majority in Nepal, in terms of power structure, however, it has still resembles the feudal character. Despite being in minority, certain castes have the absolute control of administration, judiciary and intellectual arena. If those in power go with the spirit of accommodation, preamble and directive principle of the Constitution, the problems can be resolved peacefully. But no one is following the preamble and directive principle. Although Constitutions of the Kingdom of Nepal states that it is a Hindu Kingdom, different religious groups resort to in the country. If oppression against ethnic minority continues, they may resort to radical measures.

How do you find the role of political parties solving the ethnic problems?

Ethnic problem is not the problem of ethnic minorities alone but is also a question of survival for Nepal. Different ethnic groups are living together in a given space between two large countries. We have studied agenda of various political parties and found that ruling Nepali Congress is weakest. Leftists are much more progressive but only in manifestoes. I have not seen their statements being put in actions including in the formation (composition) of their central committee and selection of candidates. We have not seen any magnanimity on the part of political parties for national integration.

You yourself are a renowned intellectual from one of the ethnic groups, what have you been doing to promote the right of ethnic groups level?

I don't consider at myself as an intellectual, I am just a concerned citizen. I am little bit more educated than others. To educate other people, we need to develop an area of specialization. My area of specialization is geography. I am not a sociologist or anthropologist. Why I am involve myself in this sector is because I am educated. I want to solve this problem and want to educate the ruling caste group who has a very biased approach.

How do you see the response of the present government?

The state has to realize that a problem should be solved before it erupts. All ethnic groups should be given equal rights to survive (nationalities). In a democratic set-up the policy makers have to see how it is worked out. Nepalese population is a combination of three social groups --- caste people including Tagadhari (Chhetris, Brahmins) and Dalits, hilly Matawalis (tribals) and the third one that is not socially but geographically distinguished. This triangular set-up is the reality of Nepal. How will these move politically will determine tomorrow Nepal. Terai people are able to form their own political party because they had external support, hill caste people are dominating every political parties because it is formed by them. Most deprived are the tribal people who do not have any kind of external support. They are a nationalist force. The state has to consider how to accommodate them.

"The Committee Is Working To Protect Ethnic Culture, Language And Religion"

— Dr. Chaitanya Subba

Dr. Chaitanya Subba, Executive Director of government-formed National Committee for Development of Nationalities, believes that multiple initiatives should be taken to solve the ethnic problems. Dr. Subba spoke to SPOTLIGHT on various issues regarding the ethnicity. Excerpts:

As a Director of a government body, how do you look at the problems related to ethnic groups?

Sociologists and anthropologists have identified many problems related to the ethnic groups. It is one of the major issues of the country. One of the prominent points raised by ethnic groups is the recognition of their language, culture and religion. Following the unification of Nepal, small ethnic groups have been ignored. In the name of national integration, their languages, culture and religion were overlooked. According to the anthropologists, the state have made every efforts to weaken the ethnic groups. Now the country has adopted open democratic system so the ethnic groups have started demanding recognition of their identity. The country imposed a new language in the name of national lingua franca. There is nothing to say about the promotion of national language but the state also has to promote and protect the language of other ethnic groups. Rather there was an internal colonial policy. I mean one group of people dominated others.

It is said that only a handful of people is raising the issue in urban areas?

It is natural. Whether it is a democratic issue or ethnic issue, only a selective intellectuals raise it and it gradually spreads to grass roots. Earlier, the number was small but now it is increasing. The state has to take it seriously.

Every nation is a composition of different ethnic groups. If each ethnic group demands separate identity, how can a nation survive as a single unit?

I agree with you that every country is a composition of various ethnic groups with various languages, cultures and religions. The role of the state is to recognize their identity. There is creative diversity. The question is how to manage all ethnic groups. Every ethnic group needs to have their own rights. We are discussing openly and this is a very right step.

What role is the government playing now?

We have identified some areas that need immediate attention. Before the formation of this committee, a high level committee had pointed out the areas for promotion. The culture, language and religion are some of them. Cultures of different ethnic groups are the treasure of the nation. Although it is in a very initial stage, our committee is making every effort to protect and promote culture, language and religion of different ethnic groups. We are working with different government bodies. Nepal has 125 languages and some of the languages are on the verge of extinction. Radio Nepal is also broadcasting in 16 different language. It is a good beginning. We lack resources and we don't have expertise.

"The History Of Most Countries Is Full Of Ethnic Conflicts"

— Dr. Rishikeshab Raj Regmi

Dr. RISHIKESHAB RAJ REGMI is one of the prominent anthropologists of Nepal who heads the Sociology and Anthropology Department at Tribhuwan University. Professor Regmi spoke to SPOTLIGHT on different issues of ethnic problems in Nepal. Excerpts:

How do you see the term ethnicity being used in Nepal?

Actually, the terms ethnic and indigenous are complex. And they are academic issues. In Nepal, some individuals and groups are trying to exploit the issue for individual and political benefit. The restoration of democracy provided opportunity for various individuals to raise the issue of ethnicity. Even the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal 1990 declared Nepal as a multi religious, multi-linguistic and multi-ethnic country. It is very frustrating to see the efforts being made to break apart the harmonious relations existing between different groups on the basis of religion, language and race. Every individual has the right to express his/her feelings but no body has any right to use derogatory terms regarding other communities.

Ethnic groups are claiming that they are dominated by certain ruling factions. How do you look at it?

Academically, the history of every country is full of ethnic conflicts. If we study the history of USA, Canada, Australia, Russia and other countries of the world, they, too, suffered from racial discrimination between different ethnic groups. In USA the oppression by the white against black and indigenous Red Indians was terrible. But, western countries have almost settled all the racial issues through due long democratic exercise. As Nepal, too, enjoys the democratic system, every community will get their respective gradually.

It is said that the ruling class dominated the culture, religion and language of different ethnic groups declaring Nepal as the Hindu Kingdom. Do you agree?

This is the point I don't understand. When large number of ethnic groups are being converted to Christianity, nobody takes it as a threat to their culture. Being a Hindu Kingdom, Nepal does not have any kind of religious discrimination. The Hindu Monarch has been given special role in Buddhism. Hindus and Buddhists have many common shrines. Had the religions of other communities been suppressed by Hindus, they would not have co existed. Although Nepal is a Hindu Kingdom, secularism prevails everywhere. Our thinking, too, is secular. There are many countries in the world which have declared themselves as a country of particular religion like Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and Bangladesh (Muslim Country) and Sri Lanka, Myanmar as Buddhist country.

How do you find the role of intellectuals on this issue?

Nepal's so called ethnic intellectuals are raising the issue just to fulfill their personal interest. Only the "Upper strata" individuals of Janjatis (ethnic nationalities) are raising the issue. One can see the division of ruler and the reuled even there. Ethnic groups have problems but they cannot be solved just by accusing other groups.

How do you see the definition currently used in Nepal to qualify ethnicity?

There are various sociological and anthropological definitions on ethnicity. The definition of tribe and ethnic groups are taken differently. We cannot get anything by accusing each other but we have to identify the problems and sort them out.