In order to make their position on state restructuring known, the Janajati leaders, under the banner of Nepal Federation Indigenous Nationalities (Nefin)—an umbrella organisation of 59 ethnic communities,

have started meeting with various thematic committees of the CA.

On Monday, Nefin leaders met the CA’s Political Dialogue and Consensus Committee of the Constituent Assembly and asked the committee’s chairman, Baburam Bhattarai, to reach out to ethnic and indigenous constituencies and take them into confidence for the task of state restructuring. A delegation of Nefin plans to meet other thematic committees of the CA, as well as the leaders of various political parties, to discuss matter concerning state restructuring in the coming weeks.  

Nagendra Kumal, Nefin chairman, on Friday said that there will not be any compromise on their demand for single-identity based federalism. “We want the CA to recognise and adhere to the past agreements between the government and Janajati communities. A constitution that doesn’t respect our valid demands will be unacceptable to us,” he said.

On May 2012, the government had signed an agreement with Nefin to incorporate identity-based federalism in the constitution, following a nationwide protest of indigenous communities. The state side had also expressed its commitment to form autonomous region and guarantee priority rights and rights to self determination for the inclusion of excluded and marginalised communities.

Pasang Sherpa, former Nefin chairman, said that the past achievements of Janajati communities have come under threat after Nepali Congress and CPN-UML rose to power through the second CA election. “The post-CA political landscape doesn’t look bright for the Janajatis. There is an urgent need for Janajati, Madhesi, Dalit and Muslim to fight for an inclusive constitution,” said Sherpa.

 Sherpa also warned that the indigenous communities will soon descend to the street if their demands are ignored.

Indigenous Nationalities Joint Struggle Committee has already been formed to defend the agenda of Janajatis in the new constitution.

The committee has been exerting pressure on the government and political parties to adhere to the past agreements.

The Janajati leaders are, however, divided over the issues of ethnicity in the constitution and planned alliance with the Madhes-based parties.

Raj Kumar Lekhi, former Nefin chairman, is of the view that their fight is not for ethnicity-based federalism, but a federal set-up carved out on the basis of identity. He said that he does not support Nefin’s view on the issue of federalism.

“I support identity-based federalism, equality and secularism, but I’m against ethnicity-based federalism and communalism,” said Lekhi.

Indigenous leaders from Tharu and other marginalised communities of Tarai, meanwhile,  are against forming  any kind of alliance with Madhes-based parties to  press their demands collectively because of the latter’s demand for single Tarai province. Tharu and other Tarai-based marginalised communities have been advocating for multiple states in the Tarai.