Nepal is a landlocked country located in South Asia. The demand for a new constitution was started just after the end of Maoists war in 2006.The Maoists won elections in a constituent assembly two years later, and the 240-year-old monarchy ended. According to the new constitution, Nepal has adopted federalism by dividing it in 7 provinces. Their names are yet to be decided.
Okay, then why are people of Nepal protesting:-
Many ethnic groups feel that they have been ignored in the constitution. The newly made constitution supports only the high caste (mostly Maoists) people, and is a biased one.
In Eastern Terai region of Nepal the Madhesi group (which is very close to Bihar in India and has significant influence here) want proportional representation in the national assembly that means election should be on the basis of population of provinces.
Terai region constitutes one fifth of Nepal’s land while Madhesis along with Tharus account for more than 50% of Nepal’s population, so the Madhesis have been violently protesting for equal representation in their country’s constitution.
Moreover Nepal abolished its religious status as Hindu nine years ago. Many Nepalese take it as interference in their religious practices and want Nepal to regain its status.
Article 283 of its constitution states that only citizen by descent will be eligible for high profile posts such as president, prime minister ,vice president, chief justice etc. As mostly Madhesis migrated in Nepal and have its citizenship by birth or naturalization, this clause deprives them to participate in assembly properly.
Any specific reason for the women to protest?
If a Nepalese woman marries a foreigner, their children cannot get a Nepalese citizenship until the father takes Nepalese citizenship. While this is not the case if a man marries a foreigner woman.
How does India get affected by this protest?
India shares border with Nepal, exactly where these protests were happening and any violence could affect the lives here as well. That’s not all, a large number of Nepalese reside in India mostly for work and educational purposes, and their lives are also disturbed because of the tense situation back home. For Nepalese students, getting money has also become a challenge because of the disturbed bank services in Nepal. To solve the matter, India’s foreign secretary went to Nepal to give it a turn by diplomatic solution.
Nepal’s Prime Minister K.P. Sharma visited India and said that this visit made the misunderstanding clear, but still the situation is far from normal. All we can do is wait and hope that everything will be back on track soon.
Note: Image used in this post is only for representational purpose.
