Senior leader of Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM) Mahanta Thakur has remarked that that Madhes is still viewed as a colony of Kathmandu.  He further claimed that discriminatory ruling system and inequalities continue to persist in Nepal due to Kathmandu’s reluctance to leave behind its discriminatory past.

At a seminar organised by Nepal-India Women Friendly Society in Constitution Club on Monday, Thakur said Madhesi people have become migrants in their own country. 

“Even now we can find two types of ruling structure in Nepal. One is Kathmandu Nepal and another is Madhes Nepal,” said the SLMM leader. 

Defining the dimensions of Nepal-India relations, he drew comparisons between poet and Sanskrit scholar Tulsidas and pioneering Nepali poet Bhanu Bhakta, the height of Mt Everest and the depth of ocean. But he said that it was painful to be dubbed as “Indian agent” while they continue to struggle day and night for the rights of Madhesi people.

"We have been 'unwanted people' in our own country,” said Thakur, speaking at the programme attended by Indian experts on Nepal affairs.

Thakur urged that Madhes-based parties were planning to launch even stronger movement if their demands were not met within the given ultimatum. Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha had earlier this week submitted a memorandum asking the government to address both political and non-political right. Morcha has threatened to intensify protest from next month if their demands are not met.

Sanghiya Samajwadi Forum Nepal Chairman Upendra Yadav, another influential leader in Madhesi Morcha, said that the protest programmes has not ended yet. "We will continue our protest till Madhesi will get equal rights as other Nepali citizens," said Yadav. Women Friendly Society had invited SLMM leaders Thakur, Yadav and other Madhesi leaders in India.

Morcha leaders are also busy in political meetings. Thakur and Yadav held discussion with Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday. The leaders have discussed the political issues and Madhes problems during the meeting.  

They are also expected to meet leaders of BJP, Congress and other regional parties, according to Morcha leaders.