English - Support to Participatory Constitution Building in Nepal ...

Q. What is the meaning of political prime
right? Indigenous people can enjoy special
rights for two terms but how does this
ensure the quality of the special rights
provided them? -Rudrashris Magar
A. Historically one community has been
dominated by another community. To ensure
the claim of the previously dominated
group, reservations and a quota system are
provided. However in this process federalism
requires acceptance from both groups to
make decisions. Ensure the prime rights for
35% Gurung population in the Tamuwan
province means a deprivation of 65% of
other population from that right.
Other questions concerning this topic are
included in a later section of this report.
B. Day 2: 15 May 2010
Presentation on Federalism: Nation building and Minority Rights
Prof. Khanal outlined that federalism builds
a new dimension of nationality in Nepal. In
this process it recognizes minority rights
based on two criteria: population figures,
and access or lack of access to power. In the
federal structure the definition of minority is
different than at the overall macro level, and
it might vary for different provinces.
After the presentation the participants
wanted clarification on the right to self
determination,
arguing
that a specific provision
was needed in the
constitution. Khem Raj
Adhikari stressed, “If the
state gives the right to self
determination, it should
be guaranteed for all sectors. Otherwise it has
no use.” The female participants expressed
their concern to ensure their rights and
those of Dalits. To ensure the minority rights
for Dalits, Dhan Maya B.K. asserted that
the reservation for Dalits should increase
by 7% in local government and 20% at the
While enjoying one’s own
rights, the rights others
should not be violated.
- Bhim Karki
provincial level. However, Mr. Bhim Karki,
UML representative from Manang, argued, “It
is difficult to separate anything from personal
interest, so great care must be taken. While
ensuring one’s own rights, the rights of
others should not be violated.” He noted
that while ensuring minority rights social
harmony should be maintained. Mr. Khadga
Bahadur Nepali has argued that ensuring the
prime rights for two tenures as the executive
head to the particular ethnic group in its
rights as stated below:
own ethnic province
discriminates against the
other minority groups.
The participants asked
many other questions
related with the minority
Q. What is the meaning of multi-national
as written in the constitution? What is the
meaning of Dalit?- Yam Bahadur Gurung
A. The term multi-national is not in common
use unless we directly transcribe it from
Proposed Tamuwan Province Report 17