SpotNepal: Why did you start agitation again?

Upendra :We have been demanding equal and proportionate participation of all, janajatis, Madhesi's in all the governmental bodies. This is completely a peaceful movement, but the government led by the 8 parties has offended us. We have started this agitation to protest against government colonel’s thought and dictatorship. Prime Minister's second address was also not complete. We have postponed our protest for a while as government has called us for peaceful dialogue. We have waited for 10 days, but the government did nothing. We have sat a peaceful talk thinking to have some solid response from the government. After not getting anything we have started our agitation again.


SpotNepal: How long will this agitation last?

Upendra :This agitation will continue till Home Minister resigns from his post, until Madhesi people get their rights and whole Madhesi region becomes an autonomous state, until there is a clause of federal state system in an interim statute, unless ballot area has separated us as a population and unless there is a system of proportionate election system. We will be agitating until accused police officers are punished, and until there are Madhesi people in all government bodies in the top level positions.

SpotNepal: If then what types of freedom is Terai region looking for?

Upendra :Terai and Madhesi people need to be regionally autonomous.

Your party Madhesi Jana Adhikar Forum is blamed that you have a relationship with Indian Hindu extremists. What can you say on it?

Upendra :This is completely false and saga only.

SpotNepal: You have been demanding on the resignation of the Home Minister. Will his resignation solve your issue?

Upendra :His resignation is only a part of integrity and also for establishing rules of law and to protect the norms and values of the Republic Democracy. Roof of solution is a dialogue but the main cause is his being a Home Minister Asking for forgiveness is not enough. He should be punished according to the law; our demand is that there should be a just investigations and should be punished.

SpotNepal: Your first agitation was also claimed as a peaceful movement but in reality it was more brutal and vandalized. How can you assure this agitation will be peaceful?

Upendra :We have done peaceful protest before, now and the future also will be peaceful. Agitation has now been vandalized. The government tried to stop brutal protest and some people have protested against it. During that time some were vandalized.

SpotNepal: You have been demanding for regional autonomy skittle for Terai, what will you do if this will not happen?

Upendra :Madhesi people will achieve their rights in any manner and for it there are no alternatives.

SpotNepal: What is your 24 days long agitation's achievement?

Upendra :The first thing is that Madhesi people had moved ahead for their rights, the government has bowed down before the people. Now indigenous and Madhesi people will gain their rights.

What kind of rights are the Madhesi people demanding?

Upendra :We are demanding to end the 238 years long colonialism, to become an autonomous state, have a proportional ballot system, equal representation of Madhesi people and Janajatis in all bodies of the government.

SpotNepal: Is it possible to form a common front of your party with Jwala and Goita group?

Upendra :We have different visions so immediately it is not possible.

It was said that your involvement is a big hand behind the demand for the resignation of the Home Minister by Sujata Koirala. Is it true?

Upendra :She has demanded feelings that are necessary. It is all her thoughts. It is not only Sujata but several other NC leaders and leaders of other political parties demanded his resignation. We don't have any big part, we related only on Sujata's demands.

SpotNepal: The nation is in a transitional phase, but you have been agitating and other issues are also there. In this scenario, is it possible to have an election on constituent assembly?

Upendra :Of course it is possible. But without addressing all these issues there will be no value of the election on constituent assembly. So there should be a meaningful constituent assembly and this should be in time.
by : Bimala Shrestha