Nowhere in the world, in a real democracy, the constitution or human rights law segregates its citizens as “others”. No democratic norms and principles treat its major percentage of population as “others”.

The Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal (FDRN) has obviously been growing with its uncertain future but, no alternative is as good as moving towards a true democracy. Nepali political leaders dub it as an infant republic.  It has got leaders who have dilly-dallied with peace process and constitution-making and have been extending their tenure and blatantly feasting on taxpayers’ money. They hold good command on forming and dismissing the government in order to maintain their appetite, impulse and desire. Nepali politicians reiterate the buzzwords like political consensus, justice, civilian supremacy, sustainable peace, inclusive democracy and logical conclusion in each and every meeting, assembly or demonstration that they attend but in reality they are seen to be working for none of these goals. Fundamentally, they are seen to have clung on to this trick ‘divide the people and rule’. Every citizen of Nepal has to be recognized as Nepali and everyone has to be proud of being Nepali. Unfortunately, a few elite politicians of Nepal have been attempting to blur our first identity by creating caste or community based segregations.

The allocation of reservation quotas for all of population is appreciative but segregating Brahmins and Chhetries has drawn controversy. Nowhere in the world, in a real democracy, the constitution or  human rights law segregates its citizens as “others”. No democratic norms and principles treat its major percentage of population as “others”. Even international organizations like EU and the UN bestow membership to their member-states based on democratic equality and they work towards developing the poor countries more to bring distributive equality. Few “Janjatis and Dalits” certainly do not have proper representation on state institutions, and businesses and they must be given leverages and subsidies for training and education in order to make them fully qualified first and join the free competition to get selected for the positions in state institutions. Thus, it can bring in quality workforce in state institutions to help turn Nepal into a socially, economically, culturally and politically prosperous nation. The concept of meritocracy will be highly underestimated. Such discrimination against Brahmins and Chhetris will cause further damage by not giving the equal opportunities for best minds and greater braindrain of best minds. It is completely against the idea of PM Bhattarai’s statement of attracting best minds in Nepal by stopping brain drain.

A fact must be noticed, a few Bramins and Chhetries may be on top positions but out of 29 almost 28 percent of such population has been suffering equally as Janjatis and Dalits, only Routes can be exception. Generalization of, may be, 1% of Brahmin and Chhetri population to all 29% is not fair. It is one of the most troubling fallacies of our politicians who rely on cheap politics. There is not any demand from Nepali citizens to divide them on the basis of ethnicity - Bramin, Chhetri, Janjatis and Dalits. Therefore, the state decisions must not treat people as “others”. Instead of “we” and ‘others”, a demarcation line must be introduced between rich and poor which is not based on caste rather people’s accesses to resources and services.

Human desires are infinite and infinitude. They are mainly supporting rich in this ‘Rupees-ballot-economy’. The gulf between rich and poor is vividly increasing. (Asian Development Bank) ADB’s, (World Research Institute) WRI’s report shows that the gap between rich and poor is insurmountably increasing in South Asia that includes Nepal. The poorest 10% share 1.5% and the top 10% share 39.5% of income distribution irrespective of their caste. It is important for the government of Nepal to increase employment opportunities to all poor instead of dividing people by caste and creating the idea of others. The current and long-term boiling concerns of Nepal are structural unemployment, maldistribution of resources and population with crazy vogue of urbanization, youth frustration, alienation, soaring crime rates apart from rampant corruption in both public and private sectors from tax evasions, gifts, nepotism, money-favoritism, bribery and perennial failure of CA and political communications. A rebel group is instantly formed to trigger “chakkajam and Nepal bandh” even for an unfortunate demise of a ‘cock or hen’ on the motorway. The demand for declaration of martyr either timely or untimely demise of an individual, who has no contribution in political change of the country unless far-fetched indirect references blurrily checked, shows  political culture to hold a certain moral emptiness, self-indulgent in secret, and unreflecting. The foundation of peace cannot be laid by doing causeless chakkajam, bandh, and martyr declaration and more importantly by segregating its 29% of people as others.

The attractions to revolt in the name of so called democracy or supremacy of people are mere ill-willed construct of politically motivated groups. The poor have been kept in a maze. During elections, grave concerns about public issues are elaborated but the moment the elections are over, the promises are forgotten and are locked in Pandora’s Box. Forgetfulness extends to the tenure of office but it is extended after fake struggle at midnight as it has been done many times with CA’s extension.

The Machiavellian world view is pervasive that thinking about politics is different from thinking about ‘ethics’ therefore thinking about politics means different from thinking about lots of things that are the fundamental concerns and needs of people. Accordingly, thinking about politics is how to stick long time on the chairs of powers being submerged into partisan interests, game of accusations, nepotism, favoritism, and segregation but with no desires for public service and welfare. These days, it is widely felt that all political parties are not directing the state towards any charismatic ends rather backtracking because they are busy brokering the state for their partisan gains and they understand that if peace is established, their roles will be smeared and they will be jobless. Therefore the gossip of civil supremacy and true and pro-people democracy has ironically been a ‘utopia’ for ordinary Nepalese and now particularly for poor and poor Brahmins and Chhetris.

The chameleon characters of politicians reflect the instability of government (more than 20 government changes since 1990) and political instability that is being experienced ever since the reintroduction of democracy in 1990. The resentment of ‘others’ if left in ambit can trigger a backlash. Therefore, it is high time now to understand the complexities of segregation and correct the mistakes in order to work towards building a just society in which not only certain ethnic groups but all poor as per their capacity, intelligence and competitive qualifications, get equal protection and opportunities.

( Pandey is a PhD Candidate in Political Science and Public Policy Program at the University of Waikato, New Zealand and the author of Impact of Nepalese Domestic Politics on Nepal-Indo Foreign Relations. He can be reached at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

( Editor’s Note: Nepalis, wherever they live, as well as friends of Nepal around the globe are requested to contribute their views/opinions/recollections etc. on issues concerning present day Nepal to the Guest Column of Nepalnews. Length of the article should not be more than 1,000 words and may be edited for the purpose of clarity and space. Relevant photos as well as photo of the author may also be sent along with the article. Please send your write-ups to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .npThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

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