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Indigenous Peoples' Perspectives on Federal State in Nepal

Dr. Krishna B. Bhattachan presenting his paper on Indigenous peoples rights to self-determination. Photos: Sangmo

Kathmandu, August 15, 2008: Indigenous intellectuals have expressed their different perspectives on the issue of Federal state in Democratic Republic of Nepal.

They did so in an all day interaction program called "Indigenous Peoples Perspective on Making Federal State" held on Friday in the capital, organized by the Centre for Ethnic and Alternative Development Studies (CEADS) and the Nepal Foundation for the Development of Indigenous Nationalities (NFDIN) on the occasion of World Indigenous Day 2008.

Inaugurating the function, Constituent Assembly (CA) chairperson Subash Chandra Nembang expressed his belief that a federal state with the right to self determination and cultural autonomy would make the nation strong and empower its people." For federal cultural autonomy, decentralization of power is must." said CA chairperson Nembang.

He urged CA members to draft the constitution on time, expressing his solidarity with the demands of Indigenous peoples.

Jit Pal Kirat, chairperson of NFDIN claimed that the federalism without secularism is impossible.

The President of Federation of Dalit Women said that Dalit women have not been able to ensure their rights.

Presenting the paper on "Right to self determination and cultural autonomy in Federal state system of Nepal: Intra- and Inter-cultural conflict between Indigenous Nationalities" Dr. Krishna B. Bhattachan explained that intra-cultural conflict between Indigenous Peoples who are living in their original land and those who have come there leaving their original land have been intensifying for a long period in the matter of cultural autonomy.

"To solve this conflict, peacemaking and peace building process is necessary rather than peacekeeping" said Dr. Bhattachan.

"Indigenous Peoples have to fight with non-Indigenous Peoples instead of fighting between themselves in the matter of cultural autonomy and the right to self determination" said Dr. Bhattachan.

He pointed out the need to solve the problem on time through Indigenous movement and negotiation with cultural organizations.

Commentator Dambar Chemjong identified one cause of conflict between Indigenous Nationalities as issues of boundaries.

Dr. Mahendra Lawati who is an Assistant Professor at the Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, USA.

Dr. Mahendra Lawati presented a paper on "Popular Federalism- Mechanism to make constitutional frame". He discussed different models of federal structure framed by different political parties, organizations and writers, and presented his frame on Popular Federalism. He said that federal states can be added as per peoples' demand.

"We need to look for both economic and cultural issues of equality while talking about federalism." said Dr. Lawati adding that human resources are also needed for the development of nation.

He further claimed that his proposed model for federalism would work in the context of Nepal saying "A referendum is required when there is dispute or disagreement between two parties' views and ideas".

Commenting on the paper however, Nepali Congress leader Dr. Minendra Risal said, "As federalism is a sensitive issue, it is not true to say that giving autonomy on the basis of culture would solely help in fulfilling the aspiration of peoples."

Krishna Pokhrel, Jyoti Danuwar, Bom Kumari Buda Magar, Krishna Kumari Waiba, Sangina Rana Magar and other participants also expressed their views on the paper.

Sociologist Dr. Mukta Singh Lama

Sociologist Dr. Mukta Singh Lama presented a paper on "Federal State System of Nepal and its Bases". He presented three bases for Federal structure: 1) culture, language and regional equality and peoples' aspiration of identity, 2) Possibility of resource and economic development, 3) National unity and extension of democracy.

"The names of rivers and geographical areas should be renamed in their local or cultural language removing those names which were kept in Panchayat period" demanded Dr. Lama stating that moving strongly towards Indigenous Peoples' agenda would certainly help to ensure their rights in new constitution. He emphasized making a federal state on the basis of culture, language and region.

Commentator Hira Biswokarma expressed his suspicions of the Indigenous movement. "Dalit have not entered into the issue of federalism as they don't have any interest in it. There is no guarantee that the rights of Dalit would be ensured in the federal state of Indigenous peoples." said Bishwokarma.

He further stated that people should consider to what extent the demands of right to self-determination can be implemented in a federal state.

Participants Chandra Narayan Tharu, Yosakantha Bhattachan, Narendra Gurung and others added their opinions.

Participants at the program. Photos: Sangmo

Gore Bahadur Khapangi Magar, Krishna Kumari Waiba, Sangeeta Lama and Dhana Thapa added their views.

Bal Krishna Mabuhang, President of CEADS who chaired the program thanked all the participants.

-Sangmo Yonjan-Tamang in Kathmandu.

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