The Madhesi movement in Nepal: From historical marginalisation to contemporary politics

The emergence of Madhesi movement in Nepal is linked to the country’s history, geography, ethnic diversity, and centralized state creation processes. Nepal’s southern lowlands constitute Madesh or Terai region. Almost half of the nation’s population lives in this region and it is the major agricultural and industrial hub of Nepal. Despite all these potentials the region and its people have remained politically and culturally marginalized for a long time. The historical marginalization has led to the emergence of Madhesi movement that challenged the authoritarian hegemony of Hindu elites living in the hills and valleys of Nepal. The objective of the Madhesi movement is the demand for federal autonomy, citizenship rights and proper representation. This article is an attempt to understand the Madhesi movement within larger socio-political evolution of Nepal and in particular investigate the question of Madhesi identity and it’s marginalisation under different political epochs by exploring the historical, geographical and demographic foundations of the Terai. The study looks into the emergence of the movement from early post-1951 political mobilization to the widespread demonstrations that followed the 2007 Interim Constitution and the adoption of the 2015 Constitution using a qualitative historical-analytical method based on secondary data sources. According to the study’s findings, Madhesi movements goals remain mostly unfulfilled since state authority in Nepal has remained concentrated among hill Hindu elites despite democratic changes. The long-term political stability and democratic success of Nepal lie in acceptance and approval of the country's protracted marginalised groups and communities including the Madhesis.