Recent ethnic violence in Nepal has polarised citizens along ethnic issues that were largely unaddressed during the civil war and the subsequent peace agreement. This paper, published by the International Peace Research Institute, traces the history of Nepali post-war ethnic violence and the current difficulties implementing peace agreements. Reducing the risk of future armed conflict involves targeting grassroots opinion, preventing demonisation of specific ethnic groups and recognising long-standing discrimination of the Madhesi people of the Terai region.
After the Nepali government signed the 2006 peace agreement with the Communist Party of Nepal – Maoist (CPN-M), fighting along ethnic lines erupted in the Terai region of southern Nepal. In 2007, insurgent groups, targeting both the state and Maoists, created the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) to represent the region’s Madhesi people.
Since the mid-20th century, the Nepali government has attempted to assimilate 100-plus ethnicities into a single pan-Nepali identity. The UDMF is the latest of many attempts to force the government to recognise the authenticity of disparate ethnic groups. Following non-violent agitations, UDMF demands were crystallised in peace agreements signed with the government in 2007 and 2008. However:
- The UDMF now requires all Terai political leaders to be Madhesi and fosters demonising of the Pahadi of Kathmandu valley as the cause of the country’s problems.
- Most political party moderates are opposed to the UDMF ‘One Madhes’ proposal and want Madhesi rights to be addressed by federalism and/or decentralisation.
- The UDMF feels mainstream parties do not take their demands seriously; it is resorting to public demonstrations to bring other political parties to the table.
- Anti-Pahadi rhetoric has resulted in calls for autonomy, secession and a Pahadi-free Terai. Ethnic cleansing of Pahadis has begun in some parts of the Terai.
- Emphasis on the Madhesi impacts dozens of other ethnic minorities within the Terai. Tensions and violence are rising between the Madhesi in regions populated by the Tharu ethnic community.
- Indian security forces have entered the Terai without Nepali permission; Madhesi criminal groups use Indian border towns as bases of operation. There are fears that India wishes to undermine Nepal’s government by supporting an armed Madhesi uprising.
The following hybrid, provincial solution may allow for at least partial resolution of the UDMF-Madhesi issue without incorporating or necessitating a ‘One Madhes’ approach:
- Sell a compromise that is not ‘one Madhes’ to UDMF leadership and grassroots supporters. Encourage the UDMF to broaden it beyond a single issue.
- Integrate Madhesis into the army and civic bureaucracy.
- Address the Madhesi desire for vengeance against Pahadis.
- Convince Pahadis to recognise that institutionalised discrimination against the Madhesis must end.
- Address security issues in the Terai.
- Incorporate the concerns of the Tharu ethnic community.
