> Research & Reports Ethnic Nationalism in Ethnic nationalism is on the rise in Nepal. With only 23.2 million inhabitants and measuring only 147,181 square kilometres, Nepal instability caused by the corrupt lead- Research > is host to 62 ‘nationalities’ (janajati). None of these nationalities, including the predominant Khas population – consisting of ership of constitutional parties. The South Asia -Ksetri castes, speaking Nepali (Khas) and practising Hinduism – can be considered a single majority group. The Khas, ‘palace massacre’ of 1 June 2001, in however, remain determined to propagate their language, culture, and religion through their control of state institutions. While which practically the entire royal fami- ethnic mobilization in Nepal has largely, to date, avoided bloodshed, the frustration of minority nationalities, ethnicities, castes, ly was murdered, has exacerbated ten- and tribes (janajati) is an important factor behind the growing popularity of the Maoists’ ‘people’s war’. sions and instability in the country. The only surviving brother of the slain king, By Bal Gopal Shrestha Fierce ethnic agita- Gyanendra, has now become king. tions in the capital Unfortunately, in contrast to the great n the wake of political reforms insti- against respect shown to his slain brother and Ituted in 1990, non-Khas nationali- the 1999 decision of his family, people do not trust the pres- ties began asserting their own national the Supreme Court of ent king. Images of deified kings of the identities within the boundaries of the Nepal, which prohib- past have been destroyed. The Maoists, current state. A new constitution was ited the use of local forming the most powerful extra-con- introduced that year, confirming Nepal languages in munici- stitutional political party, represent as a multinational (bahujati) and even palities and District recent developments as the ‘death of multilingual (bahubhasika) country. Development monarchy’ in Nepal and urge the coun- The constitution, however, retained the Committees. try to declare itself a republic. This is an Nepali (Khas) language as the official (left and below) unprecedented situation for the entire ‘national language’ and Hinduism as nation. While nationalities remain sus- the sole ‘state religion’. Although the picious of the present developments, constitution provides liberty for ethnic they are speculating about possibilities non-Khas and non-Hindu religious for favourable change. communities to express themselves – The most recent trend in Nepalese against the domination of the ‘one ethnic mobilization is the active nation, one language, and one religion’ involvement of Maoists; their populist policy of the government – minority appeals are attracting adherents. The languages and religions remain with- majority of ethnic nationalities, includ- out legal protection. ing a large section of , Tamangs,

The major demands of the non-Khas Sundar K. Malla photos: both for Courtesy and Newars in Kathmandu Valley, are nationalities in Nepal are: the right to sympathetic towards the Maoists. autonomy; political representation in expansionary policy, which came to an Nepalese law. Few were surprised when Nepal infuriated non-Nepali speakers Despite its cultural richness, Nepal is the central government; equal rights for end only after their defeat in a war with Hindu fundamentalists announced with its 1999 decision prohibiting the one of the poorest and most underde- their languages in the courts, in educa- the British East India Company (1814- substantial cash rewards to anyone cut- use of local languages in municipalities veloped countries of South Asia. Its tion, and in local and central adminis- 1816). It was only in the 1930s that the ting off the head of Padma Ratna Tulad- and District Development Committees. people are facing various problems, tration; and an end to the domination Nepalese government began to adopt har, then Minister of Health and a At present, all ethnic groups in Nepal including ethnic nationalism and a vio- of Hindu religion and culture. The ‘All the name ‘Nepal’ in an attempt to make champion for human rights, when he feel they are overshadowed by Khas lin- lent Maoist people’s war. A small coun- Nepal Nationalities’ Organisation’ it a modern nation state (Burghart spoke on behalf of the beef-eating com- guistic and cultural chauvinism. This try with many nationalities, the gov- (Akhil Nepal Janajati Samgha), a Maoist 1996: 255). In general, people of dif- munities of Nepal. situation can only lead to undesirable ernment is unable to effectively address sister organization to the Communist ferent origins within the country’s bor- hostilities. A number of bloody inci- ethnic conflict. If ethnic uprisings are Party of Nepal, has presented the most ders continued to live together in peace Undercurrents of insurgency dents have recently taken place in east- not handled with great care, Nepal may radical demands, including the right of over the centuries. However, this ended With the downfall of the former ern Nepal, in which local people killed face trouble in the near future, as has secession for all nationalities in Nepal. when groups began to feel discrimi- Communist regimes in Eastern , burnt down their houses, been experienced by the Balkan states, The influence of the Maoist Party, nated against by the state. Europe, many small nations have and chased them away from their vil- by Southeast Asian countries, or by engaged in a violent ‘people’s war’ for Soon after the Gorkha conquest of emerged, while others remain incipi- lages. Up until now, however, ethnic neighbouring India, Sri Lanka, and more than six years, is increasing 1769, the Gorkhali king Prithivinarayan ent. Tamil insurgents in Sri Lanka can uprisings in Nepal have been peaceful Pakistan. As indicated above, ethnic throughout the country and threaten- Shah proclaimed his country to be the be seen as one of the most destructive in nature and, except in a few cases, vio- insurgency in Nepal has been prevent- ing its stability. ‘True Land of ’ (Asali Hindu- examples of national uprisings in the lence has been avoided. The most inter- ed thus far because of the people’s war As the ruling class manipulating stan). In 1854, Jangabahadur, the first South Asian region. In Southeast Asia, esting aspect of the present ethnic launched by the Maoists. The involve- state institutions, Brahmin-Kshetris are Rana prime minister, introduced writ- Indonesia is experiencing equally vio- mobilization is that the nationalities are ment of ethnic nationalities in this the target of other nationalities’ criti- ten laws based on Hinduism, dividing lent uprisings. For decades, India has united through the Nepal Federation of bloody war, however, has become cism. The latter find it insulting to be the country hierarchically and subordi- been witness to Assamese, Naga, Jhark- Nationalities in their fight against the painfully apparent. < categorized alongside low-caste Hin- nating all other nationalities to the hand, and Gorkhaland national move- ruling Khas. dus. Mainstream scholars also define Brahmin and Ksetris (Khas) ruling ments, whose grievances remain unre- The failure of parliamentary parties References these groups as ‘tribes’. Most groups in class. In 1960, King Mahendra, the solved. In many respects, present-day in Nepal to address the grievances of - Bhattachan, Krishna B, ‘Possible Ethnic Nepal including the Newars, Tamangs, father of the present king, introduced ethnic nationalist movements in Nepal these nationalities has caused the latter Revolution or Insurgency in a Predatory Magars, Gurung, Sherpa, Limbu, Rai, the party-less political system called are heavily influenced by events else- to turn towards the Maoists for support. Unitary Hindu State, Nepal’, in Dhruba and Tharu, do not accept the labels ‘eth- ‘Panchayat’, which proclaimed Nepal where, though they are unusual in It has been noted that the Maoists Kumar (ed.), Domestic Conflict and Crisis nic groups’ or ‘minorities’. They prefer the only ‘Hindu Kingdom’ and ‘Nepali their, by-and-large, non-violent record. receive active support from non-Hindu of Governability in Nepal, Kathmandu: to be called ‘nations’ and believe they or Khas the only official language’, thus The Nepalese government has taken ethnic groups and oppressed low castes CNAS (2000), pp. 135-162. fulfil all the criteria of nationhood: lan- ignoring its multi-religious, multina- few steps to fulfil ethnic demands. The () (Bhattachan 2000:146-50). The - Burghart, Richard, The Conditions of Lis- guage, religion, culture, territory and a tional, multicultural, and multilingual news is now broadcast in several lan- majority of people killed by the police, tening. Essays on Religion, History and Pol- history of independent statehood, character. guages, but the Supreme Court of on the suspicion of Maoist activity, itics in South Asia, edited by C.J. Fuller and which would be achieved again if rights The ruling Hindu population of come from ethnic nationalities and J. Spencer, Delhi: Oxford University Press to secession were granted. All these Nepal articulates its nationalism by imi- oppressed castes. Yet Nepal’s ethnic (1996). groups now accept the Nepali word tating Indian Hindu nationalists, nationalities are aware of the reality - Jaffrelot, C., The Hindu Nationalist Move- janajati, translated as ‘nationality’ in whose vivid forms have been discussed across their northern border, where the ment in India, New Delhi: Viking Penguin English. In 1990, when eighteen of by several scholars (Van der Veer 1994; Tibetan minority population has been India (1996). these groups gathered to create a forum Jaffrelot 1996). Thirty years of Pan- subjected to great distress under the - Van der Veer, Peter, Religious Nationalism: called Nepal Janajati Mahasamgha, they chayat politics (1960-90) channelled rule of Maoist China. Bhattachan spec- Hindus and Muslims in India, Berkeley: translated it as the ‘Nepal Federation of support to Hindu religious organisa- ulates that the Maoists’ war has played University of California Press (1994). Nationalities’. tions such as the ‘World Hindu Coun- a crucial role in preventing ethnic The search for ‘national identities’ in cil’ (Visva Hindu Parisad) while ignor- insurgency in Nepal. Dr Bal Gopal Shrestha is lecturer at the Nepal may be a recent phenomenon, ing the issues of minorities and their To develop mutual understanding Centre for Nepal and Asian Studies, Tribhu- but has deep roots in the past. Until rights. Encouraged by Hindu funda- among the different groups in a multi- van University, Kathmandu. He completed 1769, present-day Nepal was composed mentalists in India, Nepalese Hindu ethnic country like Nepal is a difficult his PhD on ‘The Ritual Composition of of small independent states and prin- extremists are gaining momentum. task. Until recently, the king has served Sankhu: The Socio-Religious Anthropology cipalities of different ‘nationalities’. The They have taken inspiration from Indi- as the ‘unifying symbol’ of all national- of a Newar Town in Nepal’ at CNWS, Lei- Gorkhali king Prithivi Naryanan Shah, an organizations like the ‘Hindu god ities in Nepal, even as the political den (1996-2002) and was affiliated to the forefather of the present ruling dynasty Siva’s Army’ (Siva Sena) to form groups reforms of 1990 curtailed the king’s IIAS as a Gonda fellow (2001-2002). His in Nepal, embarked on an expansionist like the ‘Cows Welfare Association, power by introducing parliamentary current research focuses on culture, ritual, campaign, bringing several small states Nepal’. It is notable that, even today, a democracy. Over the last decade, King religion, ethnicity, and nationalism in South and principalities under the control of person found guilty of killing a cow is Birendra regained considerable popu- Asia, particularly in Nepal and India. Gorkha. His successors continued the condemned to capital punishment by larity, largely as a result of the political [email protected]

22 IIAS Newsletter | #30 | March 2003