Losing their grip

The erosion of people’s trust in Madheshi parties is dangerous for all.

There is this tendency in Kathmandu to feign ignorance of the systemic discrimination against Madheshis. Its elites don’t understand how the Madheshis can claim to be discriminated against even after the new constitution has been amended to their liking. Thanks to the 2007 Madhesh Movement, federalism, a key demand of the region, has found a place in the new charter. A system of proportional representation has been introduced at all levels of government. Citizenship laws too have been amended in favour of the Madheshis, many of whom had been disenfranchised by the old unitary state. So where is the discrimination? Well, most recently and most visibly, it was seen in the despicable treatment of the members and supporters of Janakpur Bolts, the winners of the inaugural edition of the Nepal Premier League cricket tournament. At the TU cricket ground, their supporters were verbally abused. Later, after the Bolts lifted the trophy, social media sites were littered with racist comments questioning the nationality of the Madheshi players in the team. No, discrimination against Madheshi and other marginalised groups has not disappeared. They are still very much a part of the Nepali society.