In the course of two weeks, the relations between India and its smaller neighbor to the north have hit a new low.
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Nepal is heavily dependent on supplies from neighbouring India. Nepal needs to find its own Ambedkar at this critical juncture and restore the normative to the word and spirit of the new constitution.
Protesters in the Nepalese capital of Kathmandu could be seen with an effigy of the Indian premier, shouting: “Down with Indian expansionism!” While the text of the Constitution was approved by almost 85 per cent of the 601 CA members, the main opposition came from 60-odd legislators belonging to the Terai region.
Rae said that although India had felt assured that the Nepali leaders would encompass all sides in the new constitution, that did not happen.
Christians only make up 1.4 percent of the people, according to Central Intelligence Agency Factbook statistics, while 81.3 percent of the over 31 million population identifies as Hindu.
A few of these protests have turned violent inflicting deaths and injuries among both protesters and security personnel.
The proposed federal re-structuring of Nepal envisages seven new states, wherein the Madhesis would be distributed for electoral purposes – and only one of the new provinces would have a plains-people’s majority – but again with limited fiscal resources and related autonomy. And secondly, the ‘proportional inclusion’ clause provides several castes of the hill communities with reservation- a move that further marginalizes the Madhesies. It is a document of political compromise that reflects the relative strength of various political parties now represented in the CA.
Public rage is mounting over Indian government’s perceived meddling in Nepal’s internal affairs. However, Indian officials have denied that there is a blockade: they claim that they have only instituted restrictions due to security reasons.
The China may take full advantage of this anti India situation to align Nepal to its side. “This, if done in a timely manner, could have avoided these serious developments”.
Mr. Karna, who now teaches at Tribhuwan University in Kathmandu, and is part of the core group espousing the Madhesi cause, added: “It is a fight by the marginalised to get their fair share, but those at the helm do not wish to devolve power”. However, it had sought guarantees for the rights of the Madhesi people.
Many Nepalis with great respect and affinity for the United Nations were dismayed at this lukewarm reaction from an organization that played an important role in the country’s peace process.
In a statement issued after the constitution was passed last Monday, India said it had “consistently argued that all sections of Nepal must reach a consensus on the political challenges confronting them”.
But like all other constitutions of the world, Nepal’s new statute is not ideal, and there is plenty of room for improvement.
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The Nepalese cable federation threatened to end broadcasts of Indian TV channels and protesters carried an effigy of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi through Kathmandu as anti-India sentiment erupted.
