Brawling in Nepal's parliament: Caste system versus federalism

[Lux de Veritas]

Nepal Maoists are fighting caste system through federalism against the high caste Hindus. The high caste are trying to eat back their commitment of federalism. Federalism is widely seen as crucial to ending the instability that has plagued Nepal since the end of a civil war in 2006, when Maoist guerrillas entered politics, ending a decade-long insurgency that left an estimated 16,000 people dead.

Many of Nepal's ethnic groups have long felt excluded, their own Nepaliness questioned. But many of the so-called minorities (in fact, collectively, a majority) have struggled for twenty years to define themselves as “indigenous”, and thereby to claim “prior rights” to natural resources.

Federalism made high caste anxious. The high castes still overwhelmingly dominate national politics as well as the army, bureaucracy, media and business communities. Nepal is one of the most economically unequal countries in Asia and ethnicity and caste status are closely correlated with a person's likely fortunes. Many if not most citizens consider themselves “excluded” by the state.

High castes also feared that their country was on the brink of falling apart. But their strategy to guard high-caste privileges on pretext of preserving unity has thrown communal harmony in trouble.

See also the resources below

Civil unrest set to continue as Nepal fails to agree on constitution | Asia | DW.DE | 23.01.2015

Brawl breaks out over new constitution in Nepal’s parliament | World news | The Guardian

Nepal fails to meet constitution deadline amid protests - Al Jazeera English

 

[Shinigami]

its interesting how everything you post has something to do with race or caste.
i can almost smell the complex