1. Background. Arjun Limbu Presenting Concept Paper of Proposed Limbuwan Autonomous

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1 1. Background Interaction Program on Federalism and Proposed Limbuwan Autonomous State DECC Hall, World Trade Center, Tripureswar, Kathmandu October 7, 2010 (Asoj 21, 2067) One day interaction program on "Federalism and Proposed Limbuwan Autonomous State" was held on October 7, The program was jointly organized by National Coalition Against Racial Discrimination (NCARD) and Central Committee of Kirat Yakthung Chumlung (KYC) an indigenous organization of Limbu with the strong favor of federal restructuring of Nepal on the basis of historical, ethnic, lingual and cultural composition which has powerfully claimed of Limbuwan autonomous state within the federal Nepal. The program has availed a hot dialogue regarding the concept paper of proposed Limbuwan autonomous state among different interest groups like: Limbu indigenous, non-limbu indigenous, Dalit and Muslim communities. The discussion was undertaken among the diverse community groups besides Limbu of Limbuwan on verious issues related to Limbuwan and constitutional issues. The geographical boundary of proposed state, diversity management mechanism (political system, administrative structure, economic system, power sharing, civil right protection etc.) at proposed Limbuwan, dissatisfactions of non-limbu communities regarding the Limbuwan movement and proposed Limbuwan autonomous state were the focal points of discussion. The discussion was also connected with the constitution making process and constitutional issues. Arjun Limbu Presenting Concept Paper of Proposed Limbuwan Autonomous The subject matters of discussion were unveiled through the concept paper of proposed Limbuwan prepared by KYC through the different level continuous dialogue among the different interest groups which was presented by Arjun Limbu Chairperson of KYC. The debate has developed harmony and mutual understanding on different debating issues among the Limbu and non-limbu communities with their new wider analysis of Limbuwan related issues. As the primary objective was to create an atmosphere for open discussion, the resource person, Dr. Krishna Hachhethu, a leading political scientist, seriously involved in constitution making and state restructuring had facilitated and moderated the whole program with his valuable information sharing of international experience related to subject matter. 1

2 2. Objectives of Program 1. To be introduced the Proposed Limbuwan Schedule (concept paper of proposed Limbuwan autonomous state) for the dialogue among the indigenous nationalities, Dalit and Muslim activist. 2. To develop congenial environment for keeping keen curiosity on the discussion of proposed Limbuwan concept among the non-limbu community, group and classes. 3. Dialogue on proposed Limbuwan and its potentiality for institutionalization and its sustainability on the reference of national scenario and viewpoint. 4. To develop common understanding through the dialogue among the Limbu and non-limbu communities in the process of constitution making process and restructuring of state. 3. Activities The program was divided in two parts first session and second session. First session was chaired by Dr. Sumitra Mandhar Gurung Chairperson of NCARD and the second session was chaired by human right activist Malla K Sundar, Secretary General of NCARD. The welcome speech of Ganes BK, secretary of NCARD has entered the debating issues in the program primarily. Participants at the Program After the welcome speech, the concept paper of proposed Limbuwan was presented by Arjun Limbu, Chairperson of KYC. Limbu had clarified the process of developing process of "Prastabit Limbuwan Swayatta Rajyako Khaka" (Proposed Concept (Schedule) of Proposed Limbuwan Autonomous State) and on the subjects like: Why the Limbuwan autonomous state is to be established? What is the geographical boundary of this state? What is the political and administrative model of proposed Limbuwan? What is the model of diversity accommodation of proposed Limbuwan? The primary part of first session was the period of paper presentation and rest of all time was occupied by the discussion. The second session was completely discussion session. Dr. Krisna Hachhethu had facilitated and moderated the whole program with his valuable information sharing of international experience related to subject matter. In the process of discussion the participants have opined form different angels. Dr. Krishna Bhattchan had suggested reviewing on its more democratic model on 2

3 the proposed representative model on Limbuwan tabulated by Mr. Arjun Limbu. He put his opinion on opposition on the advocates against community right as human right. He stressed that a community right is also human right equal to individual right. According to him only the imperialist use to say the community right is not human right right. So after the declaration of UNDRIP Indigenous have both community and individual right that is why Indigenous prime right in natural resources is necessary in Nepal. Constituent Assembly Member Padmalal Biswakarma has stressed on all marginalized groups including Dalit and Muslim have their rights to claim and create their own selfgoverning (sub-autonomy unites) areas on the basis of their clustered populous geographical areas within Limbuwan. Dalit activist Ganes BK, Ambika Gajamer, Motilal Nepali ect. have showed their anxiety on how a right of Dalit can be protected in order to get equal chance to hold the post of chief minister at Limbuwan and how can be guaranteed the right of non-limbus on natural resource of Limbuwan. Muslim activists Rahamatulla Miya and Allaudin Ansari have sensitized on negligence on Muslim and their right protection by the Limbuwan leaders and activists. They further suggested to be improved on such weaknesses. Other indigenous activists like Malla K Sundar, Durga Rai, Nabin Wanem, Surya Sambahamphe etc. have opined on horizontal negotiation among the Limbu and Rai, Magar and Gurung, Newar and Tamang etc. and among marginalized groups like: Indigenous Nationalities, Dalit, Muslim and Madhesi for state restructuring of Nepal in effective federal model development. 4. Concerns rose The discussion has raised lots of issues relating to state restructuring and proposed Limbuwan autonomous state. They are: Program Participants are Taking Part in Discussion and Raising Their Issues Besides Karnali and Khaptad all proposed states by thematic committee of Constituent Assembly (Committee of State Restructuring and Distribution of State Power) are multi-cultural, multi-lingual and multi-linguistic states. 3

4 How a right of Dalit can be protected in order to get equal chance to hold the post of chief minister at Limbuwan and how can be guaranteed the right of non- Limbus on natural resource of Limbuwan in reference of ILO 169 Muslim population at Jhapa, Morang and Sunsari is notable but a word Muslim has not been included within proposed Limbuwan schedule (concept) has showed the Limbuwan leaders' negligence to Muslim, it should be improved. Horizontal negotiation among the Limbu and Rai, Magar and Gurung, Newar and Tamang etc. and among marginalized groups like: Indigenous Nationalities, Dalit, Muslim and Madhesi are necessary for state restructuring of Nepal. History alone is a reference but not determining factor in state restructuring. 5. Suggestions All marginalized groups including Dalit and Muslim have their rights to claim and create their own self-governing (sub-autonomy unites) areas on the basis of their clustered populous geographical areas within Limbuwan. In national level Very, Karnali and Seti can be composed as an autonomous state on the basis of Dalit populous area. All communities have equal right to compete on Chief Minister of Proposed Limbuwan autonomous. The provision of non-territorial sub-autonomy can solve the interest of Dalit community. 6. Participation Status The participation status was male dominated and hill indigenous dominated as well. There was no representation of Terai Dalit, indigenous and Hill Chhettri. 4

5 Table No 1. Community Male Female Total Dalit Hill Dalit Terai Dalit Indigenous Himal Indigenous Hill Indigenous Terai Indigenous Muslim Hill High Caste Hill Brahman Hill Chhettri Others Grand Total Conclusion After the people's movement of (April Movement of 2006), interim constitution of Nepal, 2063 has recognized the federal structure of Nepal. It is an outcome of long movement of indigenous nationalities, Madhesi and Dalit. Now the debate is concentrated on what are the fundamental bases of federal structure? What is the geographical boundary? What is the model of diversity accommodation of proposed in new structured federal units of federal Nepal? The debate has been specially polarized in two one is on the favor of historical, ethnic, lingual etc. based federal restructuring thinkers and other is vise versa. It is equally popular in grass root level and constituent assembly as well. The program has become successful on vision sharing among different community and interest groups on the above written concerns with in-depth dialogue among the pro- Limbuwan thinkers and other. The program has at least begun of a national level dialogue among the pro-limbuwan activists, Dalit, indigenous and Muslim activists regarding the existence of Limbuwan within the structure of federal Nepal. Further, it contributed to develop some common understandings and harmony on different issues regarding to Limbuwan among Dalit, Muslim and Indigenous Nationalities with their new wider analysis of Limbuwan related issues. The End 5