Wave of Protests (May 6- 12) - Alliance for Social Dialogue

While UCPN (M), Nepali Congress, UML, and United Madhesi Democratic Front (UDMF) were engaged in discussions on state restructuring, the country saw protests and bandas for and against it. There was no agreement among the parties after UCPN (M) went for naming the provinces after single ethnic groups and other parties were against naming the provinces after ethnicity. In the meantime, the bandas for undivided far west and Mithila continued.

The government formed a talks team comprising of deputy prime minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula and ministers Barsha Man pun and Mahendra Yadav to hold talks regarding the far-western protests. Also, the Muslim community organised bandas in Tanahu and Janakpur among other districts seeking guarantee of its rights in the new constitution.

As there were demands for Tharuhat State, Tharuwan Eastern Kochila State, Thami Autonomous State, Birgunj to be a provincial state capital, Brahman, Chhetri, Thakuri and other communities organised a two-day Nepal banda against ethnic states and demanding that they be included in the indigenous list. As there were protests for undivided far west and against ethnic states, there was class between this groups and Tharus demanding a Tharuhat State in Nawalparasi. While Brahman-Chhetri banda was ongoing, there was another banda demanding guarantee of Muslim rights and undivided mid west.

While these several protest movements were going on regarding state restructuring, there was polarisation among the parties and within parties. While preparations were being made to decide contentious issues through voting in the Constituent Assembly (CA), CA members from UDMF, members of indigenous people’s caucus in the CA, and CA members from Dalits and Muslims communities, independents members, and smaller parties decided to take a united stand for state restructuring based on single identity.

There was confusion in the parties after CA members from Congress and UML also stood in favour of state restructuring based on single identity. Though the Congress and UML whips expressed confidence that their members would follow the party instructions if there was voting, the indigenous members stated they would rather face consequences but would not back from single identity. Due to this, Congress and UML leaders stressed on consensus rather voting in the CA. even after failures at consensus, the leaders continued to work towards consensus. After Congress became positive towards an 11-state model, UCPN (M) decided the naming will be done either by state assemblies or through referendum. UML, which had been completely rejecting ethnic states, decided that either eight states including two ethnic states or 11 states based on a common identity could be accepted. After showing some flexibility on state restructuring, UCPN (M), Congress, and UML claimed they were closer to a consensus on 11-state model. UDMF leaders stressed 14 states.

As there were protests in various places in the country, the government talks team held talks with the team demanding undivided far west. Though the talks team of Brahman, Chhetri and others also held talks with the government talks team, there was no agreement. Also, after there was no consensus among the parties, the CA sitting kept being postponed continuously.

Major Developments

May 6	UML central committee meeting decides not to join the government led by prime minister Baburam Bhattarai for the moment, accusing the prime minister of violating the five-point agreement and ignoring the party. Meeting between UCPN (M) and Congress leaders at the residence of the prime minister at Baluwatar. Discussion on state restructuring. Leaders claim being close to the agreement on the number of states. Faction leaders of senior Congress leader Sher Bahadur Deuba meet in Singha Durbar; decides not to join the government until there is a package agreement to the disputes within the party; authorises senior leader Deuba to hold talks with president Sushil Koirala. Chairperson of Nepal Majdoor Kisan Party Narayan Man Bijukchhe states the constitution will not be as per the desire of the people and accuses external interference in Nepali politics. Prime minister Baburam Bhattarai appoints minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula to the post of the deputy prime minister. Sitaula takes oath of office. The mass movement demanding an undivided far west enters 10th day. Demonstrations in various places. Life in Janakpur is affected after Mithila banda is called for demanding guarantee of a Mithila State in the new constitution.
May 7	Meeting between UCPN (M), Congress, and UML. UCPN (M) requests UML to join the government as per the five-point agreement. UML makes it clear that it will not join the government in the present state of affairs. A two-day extension is granted to the dispute resolution subcommittee responsible for resolving disputes seen in constitution-drafting. Preparations to decide disputes through voting. Meeting of leaders belonging to faction of Congress senior leader Sher Bahadur Deuba decides not to join the government until there is agreement on the form of government and federalism. President Ram Baran Yadav requests not to compromise on democratic principles in the name of political stability and also asks to stress national unity while guaranteeing the rights of different ethnic and linguistic communities. Meeting of State Affairs Committee. Prime minister Baburam Bhattarai states there will be problems if the Army is not restructured. Meeting between UCPN (M) and UML leaders. UCPN (M) states that if UML joins the government, ministerial portfolios could be shuffled. UML leaders state that this is just continuity of four-point agreement and will join the government only if the government is formed from the scratch. Meeting of UCPN (M) and Congress leaders at the residence of UCPN (M) chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal at Lazimpat discusses on the national consensus government and constitution-drafting. Meeting of UCPN (M), Congress, and UML proposes to extend the deadline of dispute resolution subcommittee by two days. The meeting of Constitutional Committee is postponed. As there was no consensus among parties, the meeting of CA was postponed after posting a notice. Meeting of UCPN (M), Congress, UML, and UDMF discusses federal structures. The far-west banda demanding an undivided far west continues for 11th day. The government forms a three-member talks team with deputy prime minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula as coordinator. Tharu community starts protest programmes demanding Kailali and Kanchanpur be declared Tharuhat. Life is Janakpur is affected for the seventh day due to the banda called by Mithila State Struggle Committee demanding guarantee of Mithila State in the new constitution. Madhesi Janadhikar Forum stages a sit-in in front of Saptari administration office demanding a single Madhes state. East Tharuwan Kochila United Struggle Committee calls a banda demanding East Tharuwan Kochila State of six eastern districts. General life is affected. The banda demanding Mithila states eighth day.
May 8	Meeting of UCPN (M), Congress, UML, and UDMF. Parties stick to their stances. Congress and UML against ethnic states. Congress accuses UCPN (M) of backing down from Hattiban agreement. Meeting of UCPN (M), Congress, and UML. Leaders claim being close to agreement on state restructuring. Congress and UML leaders discuss state restructuring in an attempt to form a common stance on state restructuring and form of government. Talks between UCPN (M) and UML leaders on joining the government. UML leader state they can join the government if there is agreement on disputed issues of the constitution. UCPN (M) leaders accept some weaknesses while expanding the Council of Ministers. CA meeting is postponed through a notice on the board. Brahman, Chhetri and other take out a motorcycle rally in the capital demanding guarantee of their rights in the new constitution. The Chief Justice Khilraj Regmi states only if there is a guarantee of an independent judiciary, will the values of independent and capable judiciary and democratic values will be established. The protests demanding an undivided far west enters 12th day. The coordinator the movement mobilisation committee Gopal Deuba claims the government is ignoring them though they are ready for talks. Indigenous Tharu community takes out a demonstration Dhangadhi demanding Kailali and Kanchanpur be declared Tharuwan State. The protests demanding guarantee of Mithila state in the new constitution is halted. The Struggle Committee states the protests have been halted after the government sent them letters calling for talks. Mahendranagar in Kanchanpur which had been closed during the banda called for an undivided far west is open after the government calls them for talks. Tharu Struggle Committee calls Nawalparasi banda. Clashes in various places. Second day of banda called by Tharuwan Kochila United Struggle Committee. Businesspersons in Itahari in the roads in protest.
May 9	Meeting of dispute resolution subcommittee decides to settle disputed issues through voting. Meeting of the Constitutional Committee endorses the agreement to resolve disputes through voting. Meeting of UCPN (M, Congress, UML, and UDMF to seek consensus on the disputed issues of the constitution. 12th anniversary of the death of communist leader Nirmal Lama. UCPN (M) chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal sees the bandas from the east to west as conspiracy of reactionary elements to not let federalism take place. Protests start in Nepalgunj in favour of undivided far west by Bahun, Chhetri, Dashnami, Thakuri, and Dalit communities. Far-west banda enters 13th day. A 50-member talks team is formed among the protesting groups. Doti Struggle Committee accuses the government of forming the talks team by only focusing on Kailali. United Struggle Committee in Dhading comprising of Chhetri, Brahman, Thakuri, Nepal Dashnami, Dalit, khas, backward group, Muslim community announces protest programmes. Brahman, Chhetri, Dashnami, Dalit and other groups which have been protesting against ethnic state restructuring and for including Brahman and Chhetri in the indigenous category stage protests in Pokhara, Dhading, Morang, Banke, and other places. An all-party committee stages pressure campaign to make Birgunj a state capital. Muslim community stages protests in Sunsari demanding guarantee of their rights in the new constitution. Sudurpaschim Jagaran Manch-Baitadi which has been protesting demanding an undivided far west stages a relay hunger-strike.
May 10	Indigenous CA members Caucus, UDMF, Dalit and Muslim CA members agree to stand together on state restructuring with single identity. President Ram Baran Yadav meets leaders of UCPN (M), Nepali Congress, UML, and UDMF. Asks them to resolve the disputed issues through consensus. The leaders also hold discussions with CA chairperson Subash Nemwang. Brahman, Chhetri, Dashnami and other communities call Nepal banda protesting against ethnic states. Normal life affected. UML chairperson Jhala Nath Khanal expresses doubts on the constitution being ready by May 27. States it will only be ready if UCPN (M) wants it. Normal life comes to standstill in the far west due to the ongoing banda. The talks team heading to the capital is stopped by those calling banda in the mid west. They also obstruct the 132 KV electricity transmission line from Lamki of Kailali to Kohalpur. The Peace and Reconstruction Ministry asks Brahman, Chhetri, Dashnami and other communities to withdraw the banda and come for talks. Normal life is affected in Janakpur due to the banda called demanding guarantee of Muslim rights in the new constitution. All-party Struggle Committee stages protests demanding Birgunj be made a state capital. United Struggle Committee, National Muslim Struggle Coalition, and Undivided Mid-west Struggle Committee call Banke banda. Brahman Samaj calls banda in Simikot of Humla. Announcement of Far-west Autonomous State Government. The coordinator of Undivided Far-west Citizens Protest Mobilisation Gopal Deuba states this was announced to put pressure on the government. Clash in Pokhara between protestors against ethnic states and the police.
May 11	Talks between UCPN (M) and Congress leaders in the residence of UCPN (M) chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal at Lazimpat. UCPN (M) proposes naming of states based on a single ethnic groups and Congress proposes based on multi-ethnic identity. Broader Madhesi Front calls for unity among Madhesi CA members to guarantee of Madhesi demand in the new constitution. Madhesi leaders stress unity to fulfil the demand of ‘One Madhes, one state’. Meeting of UML parliamentary party along with standing committee stresses on resolving the disputed issues through consensus. Party chairperson Jhala Nath Khanal instructs CA members not to go against party decision in the event of voting in the CA. Talks between UCPN (M) and UML at the Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction. Leaders claim being close to agreement on 11-states model. The chief whips of Congress and UML term the meeting in reaction to the decision of the Caucus and express the belief they will cast votes against he party decision. Banda called by Brahman, Chhetri, Dashnami and other communities. Talks between government talks team and United Struggle Committee. The Struggle Committee accuses the government talks team of not being able to fulfil their demands. Talks between top leaders of UCPN (M), Congress, and UML. Accusations of the top leaders not being ready to fulfil the demands. Meeting of the Constitutional Committee decides to send unresolved issues to the dispute resolution sub-committee. Leaders state additional problems arise if taken to voting. Tamsaling United Struggle Committee organises a press conference in the capital. It demands a guarantee of Tamsaling State that includes all the historical geography and majority areas of Tamangs. Meeting of UCPN (M) standing committee decides to be flexible in naming of the states. Also decides to give the responsibility of naming of the states to the state assemblies or referendum as alternatives. Talks between UCPN (M), Congress, UML, and UDMF. Leaders claim being close to agreement on 11-states model. Banda demanding an undivided far west enters 15th day. The protestors angered at the government not addressing their demands. Clash between supporters of undivided far west and Tharuhat cadres.
May 12	The banda called by Brahman, Chhetri, Dashnami and other communities against ethnic state restructuring is withdrawn with claims that the talks with the government has been positive and on the occasion of the Sakela festival of the Kirats. Chairperson of Sadbhawana Party Rajendra Mahato takes the oath of office and secrecy as the Minister for Health and Population. Discussion between leaders of UCPN (M), Nepali Congress, and UML to resolve the disputes seen in constitution-drafting. Leaders state if there is no consensus, they will go for voting. UCPN (M) chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal and prime minister Baburam Bhattarai holds consultation with ethnic and regional fronts close to the party. suggestion to name the states after the majority ethnic community and call it multi-ethnic if there is no consensus on a single ethnic identity. Meeting of the dispute resolution sub-committee under the Constitutional Committee. Questionnaire for voting ready on 16 disputed issues. Talks between the talks team of the Committee demanding undivided far west and the government talks team in the capital. Talks will continue. Meeting of UML standing committee decides to go for eight states if based on ethnicity and 11 states based on common identity. UCPN (M) vice-chairperson Mohan Vaidya states the constitution will not be people-friendly as four top leaders are deciding on the issues of the constitution instead of the constitution process and also accuses it is against the constitution to make decision in the name of the dispute resolution sub-committee. Political and civil society announce economic blockade in Birgunj demanding that Birgunj be made a state capital. Normal life in mid-west is affected due to the banda called demanding un undivided mid west. Normal life in Ramechhap, Dolakha, and Sindhupalchok is affected called by the Thami Society and Thami Autonomous State Struggle Committee demanding Thami autonomous state.