National
For some, Valley stir safe landing for Madhes feud
Madhesi intellectuals have welcomed the Capital-centric protests of the Madhes-based parties. Some are hopeful that the Sanghiya Gathabandhan’s rallies in Kathmandu will find a “safe landing” for the protracted Madhes movement.Bhusan Yadav
Madhesi intellectuals have welcomed the Capital-centric protests of the Madhes-based parties. Some are hopeful that the Sanghiya Gathabandhan’s rallies in Kathmandu will find a “safe landing” for the protracted Madhes movement.
Analysts feel that the latest series of demonstrations in Kathmandu will help bridge the psychological divide between the Madhesi and Pahadi communities.
“The government and other political parties should not try to weaken the agitation and send it to back to the Madhes,” Rajani Kanta Jha, a Sarlahi-based political analyst, told the Post. “Some of the protesting parties which had declared not to go to Kathmandu even for talks are now in the Capital for agitation. The state should take this as an opportunity.”
He urged the government not to underestimate the agitation. Writer Rajendra Bimal in Janakpur urged both the government and the protesting parties to be flexible for reaching a solution.
“Both the government and the protesters have prejudices against each other. Both the sides should think that this nation is ours and seek a solution through dialogue,” said Bimal.
But Madhesi civil society leaders are not without doubt about the ability of the Valley-focused protests to lead to a resolution. “The protracted Madhes banda and disruption at the border points ended without any achievement. It’s not possible to prolong the protests in the Capital by taking people from the Madhes during the plantation season. The choice of the place and time for the agitation is wrong,” said Binod Gupta of Birgunj.
He believes that the government is in a secure position having foiled a “coup attempt”.