Red Star Interview: Drafting a ‘Pro-People’ Constitution

This article is from The Red Star (Vol-2, No-6, March. 16 – 31, 2009).  It is posted at Banned Thought.

Interview: We are making our best efforts to draft pro-people constitution

by Prakash

How are you evaluating the political situation after the recent agreement with Tharu Community?

Tharu movement has raised the issue of its identity and rights including the rights and identity of other nationalities and communities in the Terai of Nepal. we have taken it as a positive demands even before the agreement. This movement was the result of the mistake to define 22 districts of Terai as ‘Madhesh’. It was the result of unawareness of the political parties when building interim constitution.

Realizing our mistake and its consequences, we thought to address the demands timely. Then, we making an agreement among the political parties, ensured that Tharu community is the indigenous nationality of Terai not of the ‘Madhesh’. Secondly, we took a decision to make amendment in the interim constitution and the related laws and acts that are made. Thirdly, we consciously discussed that the other caste or community’s identity and independency should not be affected by the recent made decision. Mainly, we addressed the movement identity and right correctly. we established that the Tharu and other nationalities are the nationalities of Terai.

On the basis of the above decision the indigenous natiolnalities will be categorized under the representation of proportionate and inclusive in a new way.

Are you sure that there wouldn’t be any other incident in course of amendmending the decision?

We cannot see anything without any problems. Some of the problems can occur in course of amendmending. The efforts are being done in a pre-planned way by the anti-people forces for not to give the process run in a normal and smooth way. However, we think that the political parties will lead the progress in a positive way.

Is MJF satisfied with the decision?

We request the political parties, organizations and individuals not to be wandered under illusion. We are not in favour of discriminating or affecting any caste or region from their rights and identity. We are committed that we do not want the identity of Madhesh and Madheshi people to be dominated or discriminated, simultaneously we request them to accept and honor the identity and existence of other nationalities and communities in Terai. If they argue the whole Terai should be called ‘Madhesh’ and all the other indigenous communities should accept the slogan of ‘One Madhesh One Pradesh’ (State), that is a wrong idea and they should regocnize and honour the identity and right of other indigenous communities.

How are you analysing the visit of regressive elements and status quo to Delhi? The former king is visiting Indian leaders, as well as domestic anti-Maoist leaders, too?

The foreign and domestic reactionary forces are always hatching conspiracies against the mandate and conspirations of the Nepalese people since People’s War and People’s Movement to comprehensive Peace Accord to the formation of the Maoist-led government. We have led the country up to here by making all their conspiracies failure.

The objective of the People’s War and the People’s Movement has not been ended and the transition period has not been concluded. Delhi visit is one of the parts of the conspiracy to make Unified Maoist-led government unsuccessful.

However, we are clear that the conspiracies will be unsuccessful due to the intimate relationship of the Unified Maoist with Nepalese people. The objective to make unsuccessful not only the Unified CPN Maoist but also the progressive peace process will not be accomplished at all due to the power of people. Nevertheless, we do not consider that Delhi can do anything against Nepal and Nepalese people these days. We advance the process ahead by bringing the revolutionary power and people of the entire nation.

Are the regressive elements being united under status quo or status quos are being united with regressive?

The status quo and regressive should understand that there is neither and possibility of restoration of monarchy nor the remaining of status quo. They should clearly understand that they should be under the aspiration and mandate of the people. There is no possibility to move here or there instead of advancing progressive peace process. If status quo wants to make alliance with regressive forces, their existence will be collapsed.

What are you planning to cross the regressive-status-quo alliance?

First of all, we are trying to make the tasks of the government effective by giving feeling of newness and change. Secondly, we have publicized ‘Republican Constitution 2009’ and we are trying to carry it to the people. We are making our best efforts to write the constitution of people. We are trying to make the next year budget more people oriented.

In mass level, we will carrying the campaign of mass mobilization to build new Nepal.