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VOL. 03, NO. 03, July 01, 2009 (Ashadh 17 2066)
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Social Inclusion Policies in South Asian States
A three day seminar on social inclusion and South Asian States' policies highlights various aspects of the process of social inclusion in South Asian countries
By A CORRESPONDENT
At a time when there is growing demands for social inclusion in Nepal due to the process of writing a new Constitution for the county thorough the Constituent Assembly, the nation's scholars got together for the opportunity to share views with various experts from elsewhere in the region.
Organized by the Social Inclusion Research Fund (SIRF) in collaboration with the Center for Nepal and Asian Studies (CNAS) and Tribhuwan University, the participants discussed social exclusion. Discussion of South Asia predates the 1970s discourse of Europe which conceptualizes social exclusion.
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The social exclusion discourse of South Asia is a result of stratification. Stratification based on caste, ethnicity and racism has prevailed, in one form or other, in the region for centuries. This unique discourse of South Asia was the main course of debate during the South Asian regional seminar on “Social Inclusion Policies of the State.”
According to experts, the social exclusion concept that originated in France in mid 1970’s, existed in the South Asian societies before the discourse in Europe and is quite distinct from that seen in many other societies. South Asia evolved as the result of stratification based on caste, ethnicity and racism that the region for centuries and developed the social and cultural systems that excluded the certain communities from common facilities or benefits.
South Asian societies comprise innumerable caste, ethnic, racial and cultural groups that are diverse and were (and are) mixed up through local hierarchy networks, structural state processes and the hegemony of superior social groups. Since the ancient past, the communities were arranged and structured normatively and uniformly in an unequal system of graded exclusion which again was supported by the political, economical and knowledge-based domination of a few communities.
The hierarchical structures based on a religion/class give the economic and cultural rewards only to elite communities and groups in South Asia. Social scientists also opine the social exclusion as a political agenda. Specifically, South Asia accounts for many political movements against the social exclusionary practices, the latest of them the 10 year armed struggle of Nepal. Exclusion was a major part of the political and tactical agenda of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) which launched an armed insurgency in Nepal in 1996 and continued it for 10 years. It culminated in the Comprehensive Peace Accord in November 2006, following which a new Interim Constitution was enacted.
From 25-27 June, the three day seminar was as in part to honor the auspicious occasion of Golden Jubilee celebration of Tribhuwan University. The seminar aimed to provide the platform for South Asian social scientists to exchange their experiences and to initiate a discourse on social inclusion and state policies of the SAARC states.
The three days seminar was full of exchanges of views and experiences on social inclusion issues among the participants from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, the USA and the immense pool of social scientists from Nepal.
Inaugurated by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sujata Koirala, it also launched the book titled “Identity and Society” published jointly by SIRF and Mandala Book Point. In her inaugural statement, she opined that the topic of the seminar is highly relevant for Nepal in the present context of constitution building and the peace process. She thanked the international communities for their support and cooperation in the peace process and developing democracy in Nepal.
Likewise, other guest of the program Minister of Local Development, Purna Kumar Serma – praised the effortful work of SIRF and CNAS, gave his warm regards and wished for the success of program.
Mohan Das Manadhar, Senior Adviser of SIRF highlighted the objectives of the program, activities of SIRF and brief synopsis of the inaugurated book. Madhav Prasad Sharma, Vice Chancellor of TU thanked the SIRF and CNAS for organizing the seminar on such a highly relevant theme on the occasion of golden Jubilee of TU.
Han Heijdra, Director of SNV Nepal, explained the social inclusion discourse of Nepal and assured further support to Nepal in order to reduce exclusion particularly in the current phase of Nepal’s constitution building. The chairman of the National Inclusion Commission Narsingh Chaudhary considered the program a good lesson to the commission for its future course of action.
Highlighting on the activities of CNAS, executive director of CNAS, Yagya Prasad Adhikari said that this program was highly relevant in the current constitution building phase of the country. Nirmal Man Tuladhar, coordinator of the program gave a welcome speech and Mrigendra Bahadur Karki expressed his thanks.
Delivering a key note speech, Professor T. K. Oommen of Jawaharlal Nehru University argued that the discourse of exclusion and inclusion is gradually evolving in South Asia. The conceptualization of social exclusion has three major problems, namely: i) conceptual expansionism and exclusivism; ii) qualitative attributes on social exclusion; and iii) inequality in opportunity due to incompetence and lack of motivation. Professor Oommen stressed that inclusion is not a single package that can deal with all the excluded social categories and communities as some have single deprivations and other have many. "So the phenomenon of cumulative exclusion should be recognized. In a multi ethnic, multi caste and multi social country like Nepal," he added." The socially inclusive constitution is the corner stone for the country’s success."
Four Nepali scholars presented four papers on Nepal during the seminar. The paper titled “Contemporary Nepalese Politics” by Krishna Hachhethu of CNAS deals on the political parties of Nepal and identified the paradoxical convocation of two major political parties, namely Nepali Congress and Nepal Communist Party (United Marxist Liniest).
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Bijaya Subba, leader of Nepal Communist Party (United Marxist Leninist) commented on the paper saying it is an explanatory insight of Nepal’s contemporary politics. Other senior leader of CPN-UML Sahana Pradhan, who chaired the session, talked on the political movement since Rana regime.
Ramesh Kumar Dhungel’s paper titled “Revisiting the History of the Formation of the Nepali Society in the Context of New Nepali Discourse of Inclusive Democracy” discussed Nepali history since the process of unification of Nepal.
Dhungel remarked that the historical events of Nepal were inclusive in nature. Pratyoush Onta of Martin Chautari commented on the paper’s limited insight on the Panchayat and Rana regime. Prof Tri Ratna Manandhar of TU who had chaired the session suggested a revision of the paper in consistence to social inclusion/ exclusion theme.
A paper was presented by Govinda Tumbahang of TU titled “Marginalization of Indigenous Languages and their Inclusion in the Restructuring of the State”, the paper accounted the details of marginalized indigenous language and their inclusion in the current state restructuring process.
Commenting on paper, Chaitanya Subba, former member of National Planning Commission Nepal, said that the paper has informative accounts of various indigenous languages but it is lacking in analysis of the language policy of the government. Prof. Dr. Novel Kishor Rai of CNAS urged parliamentary debate on the inclusion of indigenous language.
Presenting the fourth paper of Nepal titled “Reserved Seats for Women in Politics: Right Way for Inclusion,” Prabha Devi Kaini argued that the reservation policy for women in Nepal should be complemented by capacity building measures for women to increase fruitful inclusion. Renowned anthropologist, Hikmat Bishta stressed the need to restructure the paper to be consistent with the title. Former member of the National Planning Commission, Prof Dr. Pushpa Shrestha highlighted the limited participation of women in Nepal.
P K Chaubey, the participant from India, presented a paper on Social Inclusion through the Exclusive Provision of India. He highlighted the macro social inclusion policies of India and there implications. Specifically, in his paper, he explained unemployment growth to job-loss growth; in formalization with low productivity; restructuring the economy, redistribution of work and liberal education. As a commentator, professor Krishna Khanal of TU said that the paper is an analytical work. "The paper’s findings will be useful to Nepal in the current state restructuring process," said Khanal.
Keshab Man Shakya, leader of Newa Rastriya Party – Nepa, praised the paper for raising the social inclusion issues at vertical as well as horizontal domain.
Nazima Praveen, another participant of India, presented paper tiled “Understanding Exclusion(S): A Study of a “Muslim Ghetto” in which she highlighted the micro level study of Ghettos in Chadani Chock parliamentary constituency of Delhi.
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In her paper, she remarked for relocating the Sachar Commission (high level commission formed by Prime minister of India) report’s finding. The two commentators of the paper – P K Chaubay and T K Oommen argued that the paper had tried to generalize the findings of the study conducted in a small area to all of India. Shree Krishna Yadav suggested that there is a need to incorporate the comments expressed by various speakers.
Along with India, Afghanistan too has similar kinds of situation. Zuhra Bahman, the participant from Afghanistan, presented a paper on the impact of Afghan governmental policy on the inclusion of women. The paper accounted the changes in government’s prospects toward women in pre and post Taliban era. The paper highlighted that the liberal policy of post Taliban Karzai government had limited impact on women’s inclusion because of the prevalent exclusionary practices and customs in Afghanistan.
Chaired by National Inclusion Commission Nepal, Narshingh Chaudhari, professor Dilli Ram Dahal of TU said that the paper was informative.
Pakistan's case of social inclusion is different than other countries of the region. Ayaz Muhammad Rana and Miah Ghulam Yasin, participant from Pakistan – presented the paper titled “Social Exclusion Causes, Therapies and Suggestions: Experiences of Pakistan” in which they highlighted the exclusionary practices in local government in Pakistan.
Commenting on paper, Ferdous Jahan argued that the paper has not touched on the overall experience of Pakistan and exclusion. Sagar Sumsher Junga Bahadur Rana said that there need to work more to make the paper analytical.
Along with South Asian scholar, Henry M Vyaner, the participant of USA, also presented paper on “Healthy Identity and Healthy Identity Politics.” He highlighted that the ego of person in favor of his caste, ethnicity and race is the main cause of social exclusion practices.
Commenting on paper, Saubhagya Shah of TU said that the paper tries to address the unique feature of exclusion. From the chair, Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Sharat Singh Bhandari opined that Vyaner’s paper has analyzed psychological approach to social inclusion/ exclusion discourse.
Although there is no participation from Japan, a paper titled “Social Exclusion and Inclusion in Japan: Policy Challenge for a More Inclusive Civil Society” is distributed. Written jointly by three Japanese scholars – Kiyoshi Abe, Akria Furukawa and Kenji Kosaka, the paper stated the social inclusion case in Japan.
The seminar was divided in various sessions. After the presentation of papers, there was a session for panel discussion. Chaired by T K Oommen, other panel members included Ferdous Jahan from Bangladesh, Anjoo Saran Upadhaya from India, Miah Ghulam Yasin from Pakistan and Chitralekha Yadav and Mohan Das Manandhar from Nepal.
The chair concluded that that the seminar had papers from a wide range of categories capturing macro as well as micro perspectives of social exclusion. On behalf of organizer, Mr. Manandhar made comments on all the presented papers.
Ms. Jhahan held the view that identities occupy an uneasy place in political structure and some of the South Asian states have suppressed the cultural identities of minorities. He added that some states have incorporated reservation policies for the suppressed communities which have enhanced the participation of these communities in politics.
However, scholars from India Ms Upadhaya stated that the seminar had focused on a confined theme. She added that the social inclusion and exclusion discourse should address the individuals, as well as group's rights. She expressed the hope that the identity of Nepal has a positive future due to the forthcoming constitution which is presently in the process of being drafted. "The experiences of India will be a valuable input for Nepal," said Upadhaya.
Summing up the seminar paper, Yasin argued that all South Asian countries face conflict with suppressed communities, which sometimes may take a violence form. "Nepal and Pakistan are two South Asian States which are presently in the course of a political transition as Nepal is in the course of building a new constitution and Pakistan is in course of institutionalizing its democracy," said Yasin. "So the social inclusion discourse which had been identified by the seminar will be insightful contribution to both countries.
Former deputy speaker of parliament, Chitralekha Yadav thanked the organizer for the seminar and stressed for the proper implementation of seminar findings by working together for inclusive Nepal.
Summing up the seminar, the panels drew the conclusion that social exclusion in South Asia is condoned and supported by the exclusionary state ideologies and stratification based on caste, ethnicity and racism. Domestic discovery, everyday resistance and global contention against social exclusion place an immense pressure on the South Asian countries to review their policies to address social exclusion issues.
"This context is more relevant for the country like Nepal with its historical and geopolitical location and as a country which is in the process of making a new constitution through an elected constitutional assembly," said the panel.
The seminar gave a good platform for South Asian as well as international social scientists and intellectuals to debate on the prevailing socially exclusionary practices of South Asia. At a time when all the countries of South Asia are in the process of restructuring, the panel expressed the hope that South Asian countries will incorporate the seminar's findings to craft inclusive state policies. For Nepal, the workshop can be very helpful in its constitution writing process
