Sanghiya Gathabandhan, an alliance of Madhesi and Janajati forces, has unveiled joint protest programmes in a bid to continue their struggle against the constitution. The protests scheduled April 27 to May 13 focuses on district level awareness campaign and in meantime, the Gathabandhan is planning to make strategies for holding Kathmandu-centric protest.

In a statement on Friday, the Gathabandhan said the protests are intended to rewrite the constitution so that the concept of secularism, identity-based proportional inclusive representation and federal democratic republic status to Nepal could be constitutionally ensured.

“For this we are determined to hold a national level agitation through unity and empowerment among Madhesis and Adivasi/Janajati forces,” the statement read. “The agitation is also bent on implementation of our 26-point joint demand and other pacts and agreements held with the government in the past.”

According to the statement, from May 3, the Gathabandhan will start formulating strategies for holding full-fledged Kathmandu-centric protest from May 14. It will also work on the roadmap for mobilising mass in the districts of Kathmandu valley.

Likewise, the Gathabandhan said it will promote rhetoric ‘Let’s go to Kathmandu to picket Singha Durbar’ in all its protest rallies.

The Gathabandhan, that had planned to launch Kathmandu-centric protests, backtracked on their plans on Tuesday doubting over the success of their protest in the Capital and also in a hope to reach to some political settlement with the major parties.

On Thursday, the Gathabandhan had briefed Nepal-based diplomatic community and international donors in a bid to garner their support for identity movement.

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Madhesis, Janajatis put protest on hold