Madheshi Movement in Nepal

Madhesh is synonym of Terai, referring to a narrow strip running along the southern border of Nepal with India. This fertile region, shown as green strip in the below image, is home to 50% of Nepal’s population and covers some 22 of 75 Nepali districts.

Being most productive region of Nepal, Madhesh region has also maximum concentration of industries.

Who are Madheshis?

Terai People living in the southern plain area adjacent to India are called Madheshis. The term Madhesh denotes contrasts of ethnic diversity. This is because the Tharu people, who are said to be the original settlers don’t like to be called as Madheshis. They cherish their Pahadi character and demand for the Tharuhat autonomous region under the federal Nepal.

Tharus: The Malaria Resistant People

Tharus are recognized as an official nationality by the Government of Nepal and they claim that they are direct descendants of Lord Buddha. In India, they are abundant in Uttarakhand and northern Uttar Pradesh. A very important point about the Tharus is that these people were found seven times more resistant to Malaria compared to others. They were a subject of study and it was later found that presence of genes of Thalassemia in all of them was the reason for this.

On the other hand, the term Madheshi is used for Brahmins, Bhumihar, Rajput and Kayasthas and migrants from India with similar demographic and caste composition in Bihar and UP.

Madhesh Politics

Their demand is centred around “Terai rights” . The question of Madhes or Terai rights was first raised by Bedananda Jha in 1960s but his movement ended as he became minister. Other leaders kept raising voice against the denial of citizenship and unequal treatment, the voice became louder in 1980s when Nepal started showing signs of political liberalization. In 2006-07, their movement became so much bigger and stronger that the Madhesh centric parties started demanding an entire Madhesh as one single province under slogan “One Madhesh, One Pardesh” in the federal arrangement.

In 2008, these parties launched came under banner of United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) and launched a “Terai Andolan”. This movement ended with signing of an eight point agreement between UDMF and Nepal Government. The key points of  this agreement are as follows:

• Those who were killed in Madhes agitation will be declared as martyrs.
• Nepal will be a federal republican democratic state with an autonomous Madhes state
• Madehsis will be allowed entry in army
• Government will ensure the proportionate and inclusive representation of Madhesis in organs of the state.
• All armed groups in Terai will leave arms and will join the peaceful talks
• Those arrested will be immediately released

We see that via the 2008 agreement the government committed a separate autonomous Madhesh province. But this demand was rejected later and has not find place in September 2015 constitution. This led to protests by Madhesis and a confrontation of sorts with India.