Madhesh

Madhesh () is a term given to areas of the Nepali outer Terai or to the outer Terai as a whole inhabited by peoples who are racially, culturally and linguistically related to people on the Indian side of the border. These peoples are referred to or refer to themselves as Madheshi (Madhesi, also Madesi, Mahadhesi, Deshwaali, Deswaali, Deswali). There are also references in which the flat southern region of Nepal which stretches from east to west as part of the Indo-Gangetic Plain is referred to as Madhesh.

Background

The social groups that constitute the present day Madhesh are Yadav/Ahir, Chaurasia/Barai, Kaanu, Koiri, Dhanuk, Teli, Amat, Rajbhar, Kurmi, Danuwar, Karna, Jha etc. For many years the jungles acted as a buffer between Nepal and India. The eradication of Malaria and large scale clear cutting of the forests made the fertile plains heavily attractive to migrants from the mountains and especially from the densely populated Indian side of the border. The mainly uncontrolled migration from India has always been of concern to the Nepali government and it was reluctant to grant civil rights even in the second or third generations. Today, about half the Nepali population lives in the Terai and a considerable proportion of the Terai population is of Madheshi decent. The Madheshi claim that although Nepal nominally became a democracy in 1990, historical patterns of government employment being won by Khas continued to the present day. This has recently lead to demonstrations, the outbreak of violence and the establishment of political parties demanding equal rights, fair representation, greater autonomy within Nepal and even independence.

Movements and parties

The Madhesi social and political groups are fiercely Hindu Nationalist. Some militant groups include Nepal Defence Army and Dharamvir Sena. The other parties are Terai Madhesh Loktantrik Party (TMLP), Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-loktantrik (MJF-D), Sadhbhawna party (mahato), Nepal sadbhawana party (anandidevi), madhesi mukti morcha (MMM), madhesi janadhikar forum (madhesh).

Nepal sadhawawna party (bikas tiwari)

External links

References

Category:Plains of Nepal Category:Places of Mithila