The Problems Of Citizenship In Terai

We Want To Solve The Problems Of Citizenship In Terai On A Broader Basis’
-- RAJENDRA MAHATO
General Secretary of Nepal Sadbhavana Party (Anandidevi) and parliamentary party leader RAJENDRA MAHATO represents Constituency 2 of Sarlahi district. Well educated general secretary Mahato is known as frank politician. He spoke to KESHAB POUDEL on various issues regarding the problems of citizenship certificate and other issues of Terai region. Excerpts:
How do you see the recent proclamation of House of Representatives to issue the citizenship certificate on the basis of mother's citizenship? Will it have any effect in Terai?
So far as the proclamation is concerned, it is historic in terms of guaranteeing the equal rights to women and some reservations to them. But, this resolution does not have anything to do with the problems related to citizenship in terai. Frankly speaking, the resolution is not to address the citizenship problems in terai. I don't think it will bring any substantial changes in the present state of citizenship problems. We want to solve the problems of citizenship in terai on a broader basis not on the piece-meal manner. Anyway, the resolution addresses only the problems related to women's right.
How do you see the problems of terai?
Although the historic proclamation of the House of Representatives also has the clause related to the citizenship, it is not enough to guarantee the citizenship right of people living in terai. Nepal Sadbhavana Party (Anandidevi) will table a resolution in parliament to translate the proclamation's commitment into reality. The proposed resolution will address the inclusive democracy and restructuring of the state on the basis of wishes expressed in People's Movement II. If we are unable to address the problems of terai, it will be betrayal to the Madhesis and the country and political parties will have to pay heavy prices for this. If all the problems of terai are not solved in democratic and peaceful manner, the violent groups will lead the movement. The organization like Terai Jantantrik Forum has already come into force in terai.
Some oppose the recent resolution saying it would pave the way for demographic change allowing the children of women marrying with foreigners to become citizens?
I told you that this is not going to solve the problems of citizenship in terai. There is nothing to resort to hue and cry.
Could you elaborate on the citizenship problems in Terai?
The problems of citizenship certificate have been there for long time in Madhesh (Terai) as a large number of Madhesis are yet to get the citizenship certificate. According to a report of High-level Citizenship Commission formed under the chairmanship of CPN-UML leader Dhanpati Upadhayay in 1995, there were about 3.4 million people without citizenship certificate and overwhelming of them are from Madhesh. In accordance to demographic change, the number may be now more than 5 million and overwhelming majority of these people are from terai.
Many people say the figure is highly exaggerated? How do you look at it?
We don't need to exaggerate the figure. You can go and see how difficult it is for the people of terai to get the citizenship certificate. Many people who have been living in terai for centuries have been denied the right of citizenship certificate. The laws are discriminatory against the people living in terai. Our party has been raising these issues for more than two decades.
Do you believe that the present parliament and the government will announce some package to solve the citizenship problems?
The proclamation has already made it clear that there is a need to solve the problems of citizenship certificate. Before the elections of Constituent Assembly, the government must issue citizenship certificate to all the Madheshis who don't have it.
How do you see the visit of prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala to India ?
Being two close neighbors, the visit of this kind helps to enhance bilateral friendly relations between the two countries. The relations between Nepal and India are very unique in the sense that both the countries share many commonalities. The people to people relation between two countries is centuries-old, which is bound by culture, religion, ethnicity and geography. The open border between Nepal and India is another major feature of two countries.
There is also demand to regulate open border between the two countries. How do you look at it?
A handful of persons in the valley have been raising these kinds of unnecessary demand without understanding the ground realities of terai region. Since Nepal and India border is geographically unique like our relationship, it will have far reaching consequences in the life of people living in terai who have several ties and frequent interactions with the people living on the other side of border. It is impossible to close the borders. Open border is the question of life and death of people living in terai region. Some people with vested interest always criticize open border to fan anti-India feelings. The open border is benefiting more to people living in terai than people living in Indian side of border. Kathmandu valley is not Nepal and people living in the valley do not understand contribution made by open border in the life of people living in terai. We must develop plans and programs to gain advantages from open border with India .
How do you see the efforts made by Nepal and India to exploit the benefits of open border?
For centuries the people living across the border are sharing the benefits as well as difficulties together. Since people living on two sides of border have similar culture, religion, language and ethnicity, they have many commonalities of interest. The manmade border line does not stop their interactions. People have their own system and ways to share the benefits, the governments of both the countries need to facilitate to make it easier. For Nepal , high economic growth rate across the border is going to become a boon. We must start to think the development in border areas from broader economic perspective.