Contemporary Identity Politics in Nepal: Madhesh Uprising and their Rise as One of the Major Players in National Politics

Abstract:

Within the last two decades, Nepal experienced some violent political uprisings. Madhesh (also known as the “Terai” region of Nepal) launched a violent political movement called Madhesh Uprising in 2007. The silence of the interim constitution of 2007 on federalism, representation and an inequitable electoral system made Madhesh unhappy. Madhesh demanded complete regional autonomy, rights of self-determination, and a single Madhesh province. The Uprising was considered as the representative voice of entire Madhesh/Terai region due to the active participation of millions of Madheshis (the inhabitants of Madhesh). As a result, political parties registered from Madhesh during 2008 constituent assembly election won majority of seats. Political parties of Madhesh became the fourth and fifth largest political parties in Nepal’s first constituent assembly. They changed the political landscape of the country. Due to their majority, the mainstream political parties were forced to choose Madheshi candidates in the presidential election. What happened next became the history in Nepalese politics. Analyzing the historical, socio-economic development, and the contemporary politics of Nepal, this paper argues that Madhesh Uprising was an inevitable outcome of deep-rooted discrimination based on identity, ethnicity and decades’ long political marginalization. Moreover, the paper shows how deep-rooted discrimination and political marginalization generates violence and they can be used for political motive.