Series of Changes in State Borders and Protests
After the four parties expedited the constitution-writing process, there was a large increase in the demands of rights and protests. Movements in the Tarai took violent forms. The political parties demarcated the borders, but they could not stand by their decisions. Due to their immaturity, though the protests in the Mid-Western Region died down, protests in Tarai grew severe. Prime Minister Sushil Koirala attempted to resolve the situation, but the protesters did not give importance to his attempts. Instead, Sadbhawana Party left the Constituent Assembly in protest against the constitution-drafting process. Due to the protests and delays in constitution-drafting process, the leaders’ commitment to promulgate the constitution by mid-August was not kept.
Rise in demands
Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha, opposed to the 16-point agreement and constitution- drafting process, gave priority to movements rather than talks and dialogue. A meeting of the Morcha on August 1 decided to burn the draft of the constitution and stage protests the next day after the draft constitution was finalised concluding that it was against past agreements. The meeting also decided to hold talks with political parties and groups opposed to the preliminary draft of the constitution to protest unitedly.1 After the constitution-drafting process went forward in the Constituent Assembly, there was rise in demands and protests. RPP (Nepal) staged protests in the capital demanding Hindu nation in the constitution. The 33-party alliance submitted a memorandum against the preliminary draft of the constitution to the Prime Minister Sushil Koirala. The memorandum states, ‘The preliminary draft of the Constitution of Nepal 2072 has not been able to represent the people’s will and spirit and political change of 2006’.