Adibasi Janajati Rastriya Andolan (AJRA), a loose coalition of the agitating 53 parties, their sister organisations and indigenous groups that unveiled its manifesto on Sunday has announced to launch a nationwide campaign for single identity-based federalism.

In its manifesto, the alliance has put forward a number of demands including

prerogatives, autonomy, right to self determination and secularism.

The alliance has called for federating the country into a minimum of 10 states as agreed by the government with the Janajatis in the past.

Nefin, an umbrella organisation of 58 indigenous communities, maintains that there has not been any official decision to extend support to the protest. The Nefin said the alliance leaders did not hold consultation before announcing the protest.

“The federation has not made any official decision to support the alliance. We will call a meeting of Janajati organisations if they request for our support,” said Nefin Chairman Nagendra Kumal.

Nefin former Chairman and Tharu leader Rajkumar Lekhe said he is against the alliance as it does not represent the agenda of the Tharu community. He accused the Janajati leaders of some political parties and activists of using the movement for personal gains.