Nepal has elected a new prime minister but protests persist about the new constitution

It was meant to usher in a new era of peace and prosperity. But Nepal’s new constitution, which was adopted on September 20th, has succeeded so far only in generating bloody conflict.

For weeks before it was promulgated, protests over it had already been roiling the country’s southern belt bordering on India. They have been staged by ethnic Tharus and Madhesis in the Terai plains, who make up more than a third of the country’s 28m people. Many of them are angry about the formation of new states which they fear will leave them even more politically marginalised. Over 40 people, including ten police officers, have died in the unrest. The violence, including shootings by police, has exacerbated tensions between the Madhesis, who have strong links with India, and the central government which is dominated by politicians from the hilly north. It has also created considerable ill-will in India, a country which Nepal normally tries to keep onside.

Inhabitants of southern Nepal harbour long-simmering grievances: they regard politics in Kathmandu as the domain of upper-caste elites from the hills who hold them in contempt. Others are angry about the constitution, too. Some religious groups complain that although the charter describes Nepal as a secular country, it defines secularism as requiring the state to protect Hinduism. Journalists worry about numerous clauses granting the government power to curb press freedom.

It was all so different in April, when Nepal was united in grief after an earthquake that killed thousands. Now there is bitter acrimony. The government has yet to devise a plan for rebuilding the country. Officials bicker over who will control the roughly $4 billion pledged by donors. In villages, millions endured recent monsoon rains in tin sheds fit only for pigs, waiting in vain for the $2,000 promised to each household to help build new homes.

Escalating protests did nothing to deter the government from pressing ahead with plans to publish the constitution. The document was technically legitimate: it was endorsed by an overwhelming majority in the national legislature. But regional parties from the south boycotted the voting. On the night of promulgation, while fireworks exploded over the capital, residents of southern Nepal turned off their lights as a gesture of protest.

There may be a glimmer of hope. Nepal’s prime minister, Sushil Koirala, has cancelled plans to attend a meeting of the UN General Assembly in New York in order to deal with the crisis at home. His spokesman says Mr Koirala hopes to hold talks with protesters from Terai. Officials do not rule out amending the constitution. That may be the best road to peace.

(The Economist)