Dev Kumar Sunuwar

DEV KUMAR SUNUWAR
KATHMANDU, MAR 09 –
A high level government taskforce assigned to review the enlistment of the country’s indigenous nationalities has put 85 nationalities in the ‘indigenous’ list. The decision, however, is likely to land in controversy as some caste-groups who have been missed out have expressed strong reservations.

The earlier inventory that listed 59 nationalities as ‘indigenous’ was withdrawn after protests from some ethnic groups, including Tharus and Muslims.

The taskforce, headed by noted sociologist and indigenous leader Om Gurung, has deleted three indigenous nationalities from the 59 listed in the earlier inventory, while adding 29 new ones.

Bankariya was merged into Chepang, whereas the two other groups–Frees and Chhairotans–were removed because no member of these nationalities was found during field visits of the taskforce.

The government had formed the taskforce on April 1 last year with the mandate to review and update the indigenous people’s list. The committee’s term was extended twice as some caste groups exerted pressure against their omission. “We are now waiting for a call from the government to submit our report,” said a taskforce member.

According to Gurung, only 29 new nationalities were selected for inclusion in the new list out of a total of 120 applications from caste groups, including Brahmins and Chhetris.

“The new list has been prepared on the basis of the United Nations’ definition of indigenous nationality,” said Gurung. “Those who have not been incorporated in the list, including Brahmins and Chhetris, did not meet the criteria.”

The UN has defined indigenous nationalities as ethnic groups possessing their own distinct social, economic or political system, such as distinct language, culture and beliefs. As per the government definition also, indigenous peoples hold a distinct collective identity, language, religion, tradition, culture and civilisation.

Brahmins, Chhetris warn of agitation

Some Chhetri and Brahmin groups have rejected outright the new list of indigenous nationalities and have warned of ‘a nationwide protest’ if they are not enlisted.

General Secretary of Chhetri Samaj Nepal, Kumar Khadka and the President of Rastriya Brahmin Samaj, Narayan Adhikari said they would hand over a joint memorandum to Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and the concerned ministries to show their disagreement with the new list. “We will take stern measures if the government does not recognise us as indigenous,” said Khadka. According to the 2001 statistics, there are more than 101 nationalities in Nepal.