Indigenous people seek equal representation
Post ReportKATHMANDU, May 31, 2003 : Chairman of Rajparishad Standing Committee Parashu Narayan Chaudhary has said that a majority of the indigenous nationalities (Adivasis/Janajatis) are cut off from the benefits of equal representation in the state machinery.
Speaking at the inaugural programme of the Sixth Annual Convention of the Sunuwar Sewa Samaj, which got underway at the capital today, Chaudhary held the state as responsible for the sorry state of unequal representation of the minority people in the governance.
Informing that he is the first ever person from the indigenous group to have been raised to the position of Rajparishad Standing Committee’s chairman, he said, "We Adivasis/Janajatis are lagging far behind in education. Besides, we are not united. It is important that we overcome these problems by our own efforts," he said.
He said that there are an estimated 60 different categories of indigenous nationalities in Nepal, who desperately need to unite. "We need to strive forward unitedly to fight for our rights but cautiously."
Bal Krishna Mabuhang, general secretary of the Federation of the Indigenous Nationalities urged that the upcoming new constitution should declare Nepal as secular state. He also said that such constitution should provide all the indigenous nationalities their right to self-determination.
Raj Bahadur Rai, general secretary of Kirat Rai Yayokha said the new constitution should have the provision for the protection of at least 40 percent of the Janajatis and special benefits for the 10 percent of the same groups.
Representatives of the Samaj from Ramechhap, Dolakha, Okhaldhunga, Sindhuli, Udayapur, Sunsari, Jhapa and a hosts of other districts are participating at the two-day function.
