The Indian Community in Nepal and the Nepalese Community in India: The Problem of National Integration Author(s): ParmanandSource: Asian Survey, Vol. 26, No. 9 (Sep., 1986), pp. 1005-1019 Published by: University of California Press Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2644086 . Accessed: 26/07/2013 04:19 Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions of Use, available at . http://www.jstor.org/page/info/about/policies/terms.jsp . JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact [email protected]. . University of California Press is collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to Asian Survey. http://www.jstor.org This content downloaded from 14.139.211.52 on Fri, 26 Jul 2013 04:19:12 AM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions University of Delhi. School of Correspondence Courses and Continuing Education. and that of the Indian and Nepalese communities in India. One of the reasons is the presence of a large number of people belonging to the Indian community and their nurturing of a sense of injustice and discrimination. Likewise. on the one hand.THE INDIANCOMMUNITY IN NEPAL AND THE NEPALESECOMMUNITY IN INDIA The Problem of National Integration Parmanand Some South Asian States today are encountering the problem of national integration in the face of rising regionalism. and parochialism. 26 Jul 2013 04:19:12 AM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions . Immediately after violent ethnic clashes in Sri Lanka. on the other. My purpose in the present article is to identify the people of Indian origin in Nepal and analyze the problems they face and that they themselves create. Likewise. I will also try to identify the people of hill origin in India and their problems and prospects in that country. the magnitude of the problem differsbecause of the ratio of the hill and plains residents in Nepal. Though both these states are charting the path of modernization at their own pace. ? 1986 by The Regents of the University of California 1005 This content downloaded from 14. many belonging to the Nepalese community in India seem to be suffering from a more or less identical complex. the feeling of lack of participationby these underprivilegedcommunities has left the objective of national integration unachieved.52 on Fri. whereas in Nepal the problem is becoming increasingly acute. However.211. Nepal has of late become another example of ethnic and communal tension.139. violence based on communalism and regionalism began affecting India's Punjab and Kashmir. and finally to examine their prospects in that country. communalism. if not also of violence. Besides. Parmanand is Lecturer in Reader's Grade in the Department of Political Science. there is no denying that the relatively open and competitive political culture of India dilutes the problem there. June 6. I was told that this population was about 4. and culturally. and their social structure is identical to that prevalent in India.800.000. of these about 2. some officials in the Embassy suggested that the people of Indian origin constitute about 35% of the total Nepalese population. linguistically. one delineates the figure of 3. XXVI. NO. resulting at times in problems of national unity and to some extent of national identity 1. Similarly. This content downloaded from 14.e. p.000 have accepted Nepalese citizenship. and culture. More important.829. 1975). 1982. 2.4 million. language. Many also have matrimonial relationships in the neighboring Indian states.139. all considered either exaggerated or belittled depending on the concerned person's attitudes and interests.211. whereas most people of hill origin speak Nepali as their first language. We could. An Introduction to Nepal (Kathmandu: Ratna Pustak Bhandar. Number One comes across a variety of figures regarding the size of the Indian community.1006 ASIAN SURVEY. Problems The Indian community faces a variety of problems in Nepal. 9. Madhesias is the term used for the plains people by the hill people. VOL.014. consider these figures exaggerated. safely accept the approximate figure given by the officials of the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu-i.2 But on the basis of the census showing population of various language groups (the official Nepali census does not give figures by ethnic groups). A number of people of hill origin. and that only 2 million of these have citizenship certificates. the Madhesias I to be the people of Indian origin in Nepal. 26 Jul 2013 04:19:12 AM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions . 47. SEPTEMBER 1986 The IndianCommunityin Nepal We will consider. or sometimes second language. They are that part of the Nepalese population living primarily in the plains or in the Tarai and differing from the rest of the population physically. A report of the Consular Division of the External Affairs Ministry of the Government of India places the number of people of Indian origin in Nepal at 3.3 When I checked the figures with officials in the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu. however.388. since it is mostly they who deal with the variety of problems faced by the Indian community. rather arbitrarily. The Statesman (Delhi). A vast majority do not know Nepali. Rishikesh Shaha. however. 4 million.52 on Fri. The plains people of Indian origin are much more closely related to India than to Nepal in terms of physical features.. 3. These original and predominant inhabitants of the Tarai speak Nepali usually as their third. As a bond between the individual and the government of the country. religion. language. It is a symbol of legitimacy for people living within their national boundaries.211. 6. Besides. The various groups of officials dealing with the question who visited the Tarai areas in the 1970s did not do much to mitigate the sufferings of the people on this count. a large number of people of Indian origin have been denied citizenship on one pretext or another. Regionalism and National Unity in Nepal (New Delhi: Vikas Publishing House. Since the procedures for completing citizenship application forms are cumbersome. education. Much of the problem of citizenship arises out of the constitutional provisions. I verified this from a number of hill area people. Since these groups did not include officials from the Tarai. there was no representationby those denied citizenship certificates. It bestows the right to participate in the governing process of a country. Citizenship: Immense importance is attached to the possession of citizenship in any country. Allegedly. Article 8 of the 4. p. This content downloaded from 14. 26 Jul 2013 04:19:12 AM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions . and in the main concern citizenship. The first type consists of paternal citizens who gain entry to this category by proving that their ancestors were Nepalese citizens with some landed property. and participation in the national mainstream politically. The third consists of artificial citizens neither born in Nepal nor having Nepalese ancestors but who have been living there for a long time.6 There are three types of citizens in Nepal. numerous ignorant and illiterate people of Indian origin must exhaust their energy and financial resources in order to seek the help of relevant officials or influential and articulate people in the Indian community. The second is made up of inherent citizens who enter this category by proving that they were born in Nepal. Even after proving that they have been long-time residents of Nepal. This third category of citizenship has created serious problems. 87. which are prohibitive and unaccommodative. administratively. 1975). The problems vary both in kind and degree.5 It is said to be evident from the fact that this problem is absent from the hill areas.PARMANAND 1007 for Nepal.139. Initially. a deep-rooted conspiracy has been hatched to drive the Indian community away from Nepal. there was naturally a communication gap based on language. 5.52 on Fri. Many people of the Tarai region told me this in separate interviews. citizenship plays a significant role in the process of national integration. Gaige. business. or militarily.4 The most serious problem faced by the people of Indian origin in Nepal is related to citizenship. even if their parents came from somewhere else. It grants access to power. people get temporary citizenship certificates only in order to try to obtain permanent certificates. agriculture. Frederick H. I take up each of these in turn. 2 million people who were being denied citizenship. All cannot be expected to be engaged in an occupation in Nepal. and party President Suvarna Shamsher emphasized the necessity of solving this problem in his meetings with King Birendra. The royal proclamation of the referendum of May 24.52 on Fri. P. only 19% of the Nepalese population is literate. Kanun Tatha Nyaya Matralaya. This content downloaded from 14. 1979. An illiterate Indian is not aware of the process of terminating his citizenship in India. Significantly and relevantly. XXVI. And. the requirementof fifteen years' residence for Indians is not sound. the main opposition group in the country. a one-time National Panchayat member. 26 Jul 2013 04:19:12 AM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions . and (d) such person as defined by law has resided in Nepal for a period of not less than two years in the case of a person of Nepalese origin. Subsequently. 2035). and Gunjeshwari Prasad Singh. resides in Nepal. and for a period of not less than fifteen years in the case of others. Gajendra Narayan Singh emerged as the most unequivocal and articulate champion of this cause and raised the voices of some 2.211. pp. however. Makeshwar Singh. Before the third constitutional amendments of 1980 an Indian woman marrying a Nepalese citizen had to wait five years for citizenship. (c) he has taken steps to renounce the citizenship of the country of which he is a citizen. for a period of not less than five years in the case of a female married to a Nepalese citizen. (b) he.7 Even a scanning of these constitutional provisions suggest that the vast masses of peasants and workers have to cope with numerous hindrances. Koirala. 4-5. The problem of citizenship has been a matter of concern to the Nepali Congress. Nepal Ko Sarnvidhan2019 (Kathmandu: Shri Panch Ko Sarkar. 9. The party's Working Committee meetings of February and August 1977 discussed the gravity of this problem. This provision has been somewhat relaxed and now Indian women marrying Nepalese citizens become eligible for citizenship on renouncing their original citizenship. hill leaders like Tanka Prasad Acharya and B.1008 ASIAN SURVEY. another former National Panchayat member. for- 7. prompted some leaders of Indian origin to become active because only people having citizenship certificates could participate in it. engaged in an occupation. VOL.139. SEPTEMBER1986 Nepalese Constitution inter alia says that a foreigner may qualify for the acquisition of citizenship if (a) he can read and write the national language of Nepal. Inability to read and write Nepali is a great handicap for a vast multitude of the illiterate. a one-time General Secretary of the Nepali Congress. NO. Later on leaders like Bhadrakali Mishra. But the problem persists. notwithstanding that the party has been banned for more than 25 years. also spoke out. pp.II The Tarai is responsible for producing 59% of Nepal's gross domestic product and 76% of its revenue. 1979. 31-32. The artificial distinction of the three classes of citizens. also needs to be removed. This content downloaded from 14. D. "Taraiwala Nepal. July 20-26. Parmanand. But he pointed out that usually people from the Tarai were not particular about getting citizenship certificates and at times procedural wrangles were also responsible for delays. pp." ibid. p. but the problem of citizenship for a vast majority of the Indian community in Nepal has yet to be resolved. 10. (Calcutta)." in S.139. tobacco. also expressed their concern. pp. "Nispach Janmat Sangraha Ke Liye Sanyam Avashyak: Surya Bahadur Thapa. 1967). Besides rice. dominated by people of Indian origin. September 2. "Taraiwasion Ke Sath Sautela Vyavhar.). 1979. told me in July 1979 that the government had no intention of denying citizenship to the people of Indian origin. spices. 34. 9-10. oil seeds. 1979. yet paradoxically it faces numerous problems in the agricultural field. Surya Bahadur Thapa.52 on Fri. a prominent Nepali Congress leader. The Economy of Nepal (Bombay: Vora. the then Nepalese Prime Minister. as is nearly all of the nation's industry. Muni (ed.12 Having implemented the maximum ceiling provisions. hides. herbs. November 11-17. 9. "King Mahendra's China Policy. timber.9 It is true that a large number of people obtained citizenship certificates during 1979-80.. 156. But the more important goal for some influential elements in the royal regime was the replacement of landowners and tenants of Indian origin in the important Tarai region with Nepalese from the hill areas. September 2-8. and many other agricultural items in smaller quantities. 88% of Nepal's investment is in this region. pp. p. 1977). Agriculture: The Tarai.. 1980." ibid. 29-30. 233. (New Delhi). Called the backbone of the economy. 30-32.8 Undoubtedly.I0 According to a noted Nepalese economist. is justifiably known as the granary of Nepal." ibid." Ravivar (weekly)." Dinaman (weekly).. See Parmanand.PARMANAND 1009 mer prime ministers. A plan called the Land Reforms Programme was introduced in 1963-64 with the stated goal of achieving a more equitable land ownership and tenancy system. Nepal: An Assertive Monarchy (Delhi: Chetna Publications. the Tarai produces surpluses of jute. only 3% of the land was found to be in excess and some 27. it is Nepal's most productive agricultural and industrial region. p. which does more harm than good. and Ganeshman Singh. Badri Prasad Shrestha. Leo E. 26 Jul 2013 04:19:12 AM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions . 32. 11. Gaige. Significantly.000 hectares of land was 8. 12.211. sugarcane. these demands and concerns had a positive impact and a large number of people got their citizenship during the referendum electioneering. Rose. "Bhentwarta: Gajendra Narayan Singh. and "Koi Bhram Na Pale. p. NO. are imposed on the businessmen of Indian origin to hamper their growth. Any delay in payment results in a heavy fine. The people of Indian origin. SEPTEMBER 1986 distributed among 13.52 on Fri. Mavin Kurve. is yet another problem afflicting the rich farmers of Indian origin.1010 ASIAN SURVEY. In addition. 9. including arbitrarytaxation. "Lively Debate in Nepal on Collective Land Ownership.000 in taxes. A number of people from the Tarai area told me this." he emphasized the "minimum holding. Business: Numerous restrictions.211. Surprisingly. wrote in 1978 that in the coming years a large part of the Nepalese population would be in the Tarai. 200. Govind Prasad Lohani. 1978. and this has led many to think of migrating to India in desperation." The Times of India (New Delhi). VOL.139. the Bhaju Ratna Engineering firm at Birganj with an annual income of Rs. as if they were all well off. 14. paid an annual tax of about Rs. And if these actions were not enough. mainly dependent on agriculture. This content downloaded from 14. In addition. Income tax officials set up a committee that has final authority to determine the amount of tax for any individual or enterprise. in which the land is owned by comparatively rich farmers and is tilled by landless tillers who give 50% of the crop to the owner. This complicated system often results in violence in which the Indian community is at a disadvantagebecause officials who enforce law and order are predominantly from the hill region. the people of Indian origin got nothing. 70 to 80 per bigha. whereas Shankar Kedia. XXVI. 62% of the cultivable land is located in the Tarai. January 19. a member of the Nepal Planning Commission and National Development Council. 70-80 million had to pay about Rs.14 The Mohiyani system. Taxes are allegedly levied without any proper scrutiny of the records by officials. a business enterprise belonging to a businessman of Indian origin. but no such land was given to people in the Indian community. a huge part of the Tarai forests was cleared but there. Instead of the "small holding. are subjected to a rapidly increasing Malguzari reaching Rs. An editorial in a Nepalese paper said. "If the Government of India wants to see Indians in Nepal looked upon in the 13. people without citizenship certificates are subjected to double taxation. the Indian government is often made a scapegoat for economic ills." Currently. 26 Jul 2013 04:19:12 AM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions .000 families. 2 million. In 1979. Any representation often increases rather than reduces the grievance. though less than 10% of Nepal's national income is derived from trade and industry. Under the Panchayat system a large number of tillers have been dispossessed from their holdings. so the effect of the envisaged economic and agrarian changes can easily be imagined.13 Another problem pertains to excessive Malguzari (land tax). too. Danwar. Satar. 16. Education: Educationally.16 Language: The people of Indian origin speak Maithili. 1969. 26 Jul 2013 04:19:12 AM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions . It is relevant that this was an officially nominated body of students.211. The only constitutionally recognized language is Nepali. college. and university levels and even research 15. but the language capacity of the students availing themselves of this opportunity can be easily imagined."15 Such critics forget that more than 90% of Nepal's trade is with India and most of the Indian currency-earningexports are produced in the Tarai." This content downloaded from 14. Avadhi. the people of Indian origin are apparentlybelittled and demoralized. neither Hindi nor Maithili is taught in any manner. forming a substantial section. The Central Committee of the now defunct but the only officially recognized body of students before the Referendum-the Rashtravadi Swatanra VidyarthiMandal-had only one student of Indian origin in the total membership of twenty-three in 1979. Burma and Africa. A large number of Indian teachers went to Nepal under the Colombo Plan. "Taraiwala Nepal. Rajbanshi. Even among the intra-language groups. it tends to be easier for the hill people than the plains people to obtain the necessary government licenses for numerous business enterprises. and Santhali. But the visible effect of all this is the devaluation of marks by 10% from the grand total obtained by students at Indian universities for the purpose of competition or selection. In a personal interview with me. these languages are made impotent at the college level. it has only to continue the present policy of attempting to protect its economic monopoly of Nepal.139. See Parmanand. India gave financial assistance of more than 10 million rupees toward the establishment of Tribhuvan University. some discrimination is discernible against the students of Indian origin in the award of scholarships under the Colombo Plan. Bhojpuri. Thousands of Nepalese have received various kinds of education in various Indian educational institutions. Nepali is used by the people of Indian origin as their third or at best their second language. asserted that Hindi was being taught in Nepal at the matriculation. Tharu. the then Nepalese Prime Minister. and the illiterate among the Indian community. Again. But these Indian languages are grossly neglected. Hindi or Maithili can be offered as an optional language after Class Eight. rarely speak Nepali. Also. which is also the national language. Surya Bahadur Thapa. Hindi is the lingua franca of these linguistic groups. June 19. the only university in Nepal. Undoubtedly.PARMANAND 1011 same way as Indians in Ceylon. Up to Class Eight. a majority of such students are of Indian origin. Besides. Samaj (Kathmandu).52 on Fri. educated people speak in Hindi. XXVI. Koirala.creating tension between the Hindus and the Muslims. and Badri Prasad Gupta are editing Nepalese newspapers. a huge mosque is being constructed. 26 Jul 2013 04:19:12 AM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions . Up to April 1965 Radio Nepal had a ten-minute daily news bulletin in Hindi. The number of journals published in any of the Indian languages is hopelessly negligible. March 21-27. See GajendraNarayan Singh. for instance. Whereas priority is given to the development of Lumbini (Lord Buddha's birthplace) to make it an international religious and tourist spot. pp. Ironically. no official delegation representing Nepal at the Third World Hindi Conference in Delhi in November 1983. Implicit in these efforts is said to be the intent to crush the sentiments of religious-minded people. is on record stating that Nepal should have two national languages-Nepali and Hindi.52 on Fri. Able and notable journalists of Indian origin including Chandralal Jha. It is now well known that a request by one of the Sankracharyasto establish an International Sanskrit University in Nepal was turned down. Hindi was accepted as a medium of debate in the first ever elected Parliament. the Hindus of Indian origin have reasons for religious dissatisfaction. They cannot be forced. and even those trying to express themselves in Hindi at local-level government-sponsoredfunctions are hooted and humiliated.1012 ASIAN SURVEY. Prime Minister Thapa asserted. NO. There was. the same is not being done for the development of Janakpur (the capital of Sita's father Lord Janaka). Lesserjobs in the job market for people adept only in Hindi is bound to be a big deterrent. "ChhetiryaBhasa Aur Aashtriyata. but it was terminated. VOL.17 Official invitations to international Hindi conferences are discouraged either by not sending any group or by hindering an individual invitee. But the facts speak for themselves."Dinaman (weekly).211. the first elected Prime Minister. reportedly with the help of Arab money. This content downloaded from 14. to study Hindi. They told me in separate interviews that they had to do so. for registration of Hindi newspapers is discouraged. SEPTEMBER 1986 was being encouraged in Hindi. Only one daily newspaper in Hindi-called Nepali-is published in Nepal. Religion: In the only declared Hindu state. P. but for all this students themselves would have to come foreward. just adjacent to the famous Ramjanki temple in Janakpur. A number of Hindus of Indian origin are smart17. Indrakant Mishra. Numerous protests to the government earlier had evoked no response. In 1959-60.139. but this practice was discontinued after the introduction of the Panchayat polity. 1982. 9. All this when no less a person than B. but construction work has been stopped under local pressure. 29-30. An oft-repeated criticism of the Panchayat system all these years has been that King Mahendra had introduced this system with a view to minimizing the political influence of the Indian community and that various devices were designed to achieve this purpose. The Panchayat polity has also devised a number of mechanisms to prevent members of the Indian community from gaining entry to the mainstream of national politics-not that there is much scope for participative positions and playing a role in the decision-making process in this system as such. For in18. But even if a member of this community reaches any of the top posts. Constituencies (districts and zones for the purpose of elections to the National Panchayat) were so created as to make the people of Indian origin seeking entry to the National Panchayat dependent on the mercy of the hill people. The proportion of members of the Indian community in the Nepalese police is said to be around 2%. 26 Jul 2013 04:19:12 AM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions . Joint Secretaries. Second. But the Indian community easily discerns that the various doors of the national mainstream are not wide open to them. This content downloaded from 14. for obvious reasons. The position of the people of Indian origin in governmental jobs is unsatisfactory.52 on Fri. no member of this community serves as a palace guard. Reportedly and significantly. The members of the Indian community holding posts as Secretaries. Of the total of 185 high-ranking Army officials.139. and there are not many channels for articulation of their interests. There is no member of this community among the important diplomats. This information is based on the talks I had with a number of Tarai people who. Since they can be easily recognized during interviews conducted by the Public Service Commission. In the Royal Nepalese Army.18 Participation in the National Mainstream: A clarion call coined by the apologists of the Panchayat polity for the disenchanted or non-conformists is to join the national mainstream. it is easy to reject them. until recently one could find mechanisms that prevented entry of Indian community members at the various levels of the system. the Tarai districts with more population were put at a disadvantage. they are quite negligible. do not want to be quoted. his role in the decision-making process is negligible. only one belonged to the Indian community.211. But even in the narrow sphere of getting elected to various tiers of the Panchayat system. and Deputy Secretaries are few.PARMANAND 10 13 ing under the impression that the authorities initially engineer tension between the Hindus and Muslims in the predominantly Muslim areas and then try to create an impression in the minds of the Muslims that the government is with them. if one were to take only elected members of the Panchayat into account.19 As for representation. Needless to say. August 30. Third and most important. In fact.75%). and a ban on Hindi films. whereas the members of the Indian community numbered 20 (18.000 sends one representative to the National Panchayat. in its August 1983 report. The hill people have had a distinct numerical predominance over the Indian community in obtaining nomination to the National Panchayat ever since its inception. "Yah Samvidhan Asamvaidhanik Hai: Man Mohan Adhikari.600 and Saptari with a population of 312.4%) of 109 in the first-everelected lower house of Parliament.52 on Fri. and magazines. by according constitutional status to a body called the Back-To-Village National Campaign." Dinaman (weekly).4%) in the single-chamber 125member National Panchayat in 1967. 1982. "Nepali Voting Trends-1: Caste Instead of Ideology. VOL. which surpasses their performance in the first-ever elections in 1959. it was made to interfere in the selection of candidates at various levels after 1975 in the name of "unopposed elections" or "consensus"-imposedcandidates of its choice. The issuance of work permits would go a long way in this direction. and Banwari. their number was reduced to 13 (10. songs. This content downloaded from 14.77% by obtaining 24 seats in the first-ever directly elected National Panchayat. the odds notwithstanding. p. the members of the Indian community numbered 13 (9. NO. May 3-9. one finds that of 112 elective seats. 26 Jul 2013 04:19:12 AM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions . In 1977. The recommendations are alleged to be a contrivance to drive many in the Indian community away from Nepal.62%) in a house of 135." The Statesman. Recent Developments As if the plight of the Indian community were not already enough. headed by a noted Nepalese economist and demographer. held the Indian community in Nepal responsible for numerous ills affecting the country.139. Naturally. Manang with a population of 10. in any open political system the influence of the Indian community is bound to increase. because a huge number of those who were hitherto denied citizenship certifi19. The Task Force has inter alia recommended strong control on alleged immigration from India. issuance of "work permits" to the people of Indian origin. See Rishikesh Shaha. whereas Dhanuha with a population of 330. SEPTEMBER 1986 stance. Harka Bahadur Gurung. members of the Indian community succeeded in capturing 21 seats (18. a Task Force of the government-appointed National Commission on Population. 1981.1014 ASIAN SURVEY. 9. But despite these heavy odds. 30.211. XXVI. the people of Indian origin succeeded in increasing their strength in the National Panchayat to 17. it hindered the proportional representation of the people of the Indian community.500 send two representatives each. government service. seems ominous. In addition. business. p. smuggling. An OverallAssessment Discussion of the problems faced by the people of Indian origin in the foregoing paragraphsshould be a sufficientindication of their status. on the whole. education.20 A Tarai leader of national repute. in the wake of alarming ethnic violence in Sri Lanka. even if gradual. 21. Help and facilities must be given to the Indian community to enable it to develop in the spheres of agriculture. They are at best treated as second-class citizens.211. This content downloaded from 14. There have been instances of Indian citizens being elected to the various tiers of the Panchayat polity through unfair means. 41. religion. Parmanand. 20. Channels have not been properly opened for their participation in the mainstream of national life. There should be reservationsfor those of Indian origin in the army. But. and efforts must be made in that direction.139. These reservations should be in proportion to population.21 Continuous. What is needed is the political will on the part of authorities in Nepal. or at least 10-20% to begin with. and various other services. all is not well with the members of the Indian community. 1983." Ravivar (weekly). November 6-12. Ram Janma Tiwari. police. On the other hand. Some have been found to be indulging in many objectionable practices sufficient to bring a bad name to India. These practices must be abandoned. and politics. manipulating admissions into various medical and engineering colleges by fraudulently becoming Nepalese citizens and getting recommendations from the Indian Embassy. Besides. There is no denying that efforts to belittle or manipulate these problems will not help.52 on Fri.PARMANAND 10 1 5 cates would automatically be deprived of permits to work. was arrested in January 1984 when he drew the King's attention to the discrimination meted out to the Indian community in Nepal. "Bharat-Nepal Sambandhon Ke Liye Khatre Ki Ghanti. liberalization of the system will go a long way in mitigating their sufferingsin various ways. an organization called the Rashtriya Samaj Sudhar Sanstha (National Social Reformation Organization) for a number of years has been demanding that "Indians" (obviously Nepalese of Indian origin) be driven away from the kingdom. 26 Jul 2013 04:19:12 AM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions . the timing of this report. such as forgery. the problems faced by the people of Indian origin are enough to suggest that their role in nation-building and national integration has not been properly accepted. language. Scornful words are used by the hill people for the members of the Indian community. The government of India also recruits Gurkhas for the Indian Army. and West Bengal. Sinha. After parliamentary democracy in Nepal was terminated in December 1960. Manipur. The people of Nepalese origin are concentrated in the Indian states of Sikkim. there is no controversy worth the name about the number of people of Nepalese origin in India. 9. The problems faced by the people of Nepalese origin in India range from their identity to citizenship. which. making the exodus of Nepalese to India still greater. significantly. language. Manipur. Number Unlike the numerical strength of people of Indian origin in Nepal. "India's Outer Darkness: Why The North-East Is Estranged. Many students of Nepalese origin come to India under various plans to receive their education in India. 1984. This content downloaded from 14.52 on Fri. NO. the number of people of Nepalese origin is on the increase.139. They are also found in almost all Indian states performing one kind of job or another." The Statesman. those falling from grace had to live in exile in India. VOL. An author and researcher of repute who has delved deeply into the problems of the northeastern India has rightly pointed out: A casualvisitorto the north-east is baffled by the question. The othersideof the coin is the reception metedout to visitorsfrom these frontierregionsin our metropolitan cities wherethey are often takento be foreigners and askedto producetheirpassports. many political leaders not falling in line with the King decided to stay in India in selfimposed exile. Because of their physical features and linguistic separation. SikNagaland. Meghalaya.1016 ASIAN SURVEY. XXVI. and Banaras became a center for the exiled Nepalese. many in India just take them as Nepalese citizens without question or enquiry. Assam. SEPTEMBER1986 The Nepalese Communityin India Because of the open border between India and Nepal and the better socioeconomic prospects in India. 26 Jul 2013 04:19:12 AM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions .22 22. which is natural in view of lesser educational opportunities in Nepal. kim andnow in Assam. people of Nepalese origin have been coming to India in large numbers since the mid-nineteenth century.211. A. accounts for 40% of the total Nepalese hill population. During the era of absolute monarchy in Nepal. If anything. and participation in the national mainstream. Their number is said to be around 6 million. March 4. C. The Problem of Identity The first problem faced by the people of Nepalese origin in India pertains to their very identity.Whendid you come fromIndia? It maybe heardin Mizoran. stand protected.PARMANAND 10 17 This situation certainly leaves much to be desired as far as the Indians of Nepalese origin are concerned. 23. It is only then that national integration can become a reality. Many in the Nepali community in India have been for the past seven years demanding the inclusion of Nepali in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.52 on Fri. 6. The Indian government's positive attitude is also evident from its notification regarding the problem of citizenship in Assam. When the Government of India issued rules and guidelines for tribunals to detect foreigners in Assam under the Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunals) Act on February 2. which also affects a large number of people of Napelese origin there. Nepal Sandesh (Patna).000 people of Nepalese origin in Sikkim. In fact. India is a vast country and the attitude of its people has to be broadened so that they are able to identify Indians of various shades and ethnic stocks. Both the government and some opposition leaders have been demanding that citizenship be granted to about 30. 24. The Chief Minister made bold to say that even his party would lose badly if this problem was not solved. Those exempt from the permit under a government notification of August 14. the Sikkim Chief Minister. An official announcement in New Delhi said that all Nepalese nationals in possession of restricted area permits would not be considered illegal migrants.23 The government of India has taken a sympathetic attitude toward this problem and is thinking of giving citizenship to all Sikkimese of Nepali origin. They. Citizenship Nowadays one frequently comes across the problem of citizenship faced by the Indians of Nepalese origin in various parts of the country. December 12. Chandra Shekhar. However. 1984. any election to the Legislative Assembly would be a farce. the final decision is yet to be announced. The Statesman. 1983.139. The Janata government (1977-79) headed by Morarji Desai and especially the party president. Nar Bahadur Bhandari. 1984. it also clarified its official position vis-A-vis Nepali nationals. and staying in India under lawful authority are also protected. 26 Jul 2013 04:19:12 AM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions .24 Language More important than the problem of citizenship is the problem of language. therefore. p. 1976. had gone to the extent of saying in 1983 that unless the problem of the vast number of people in the Nepalese community was solved. February 3. appeared quite sympathetic to this demand. This content downloaded from 14.211. which already includes 15 languages. But the People's RepresentationAct 1980. 25. an arrangement that was to the satisfaction of the people of Nepalese origin there. enacted during Indira Gandhi's regime. SEPTEMBER 1986 but this government did not last long enough to make it a reality. Participation in the National Mainstream The questions of citizenship for the Nepali community in Sikkim and the reservation of seats in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly for people of Nepalese origin can be said to raise the problem of their participation in the national mainstream. Until 1979 there were a number of seats reserved for the people of Nepalese origin in the Sikkim Assembly. a number of journals in Nepali are published in India from time to time. VOL. 9.52 on Fri.211. thereby leaving 17 seats open for all communities including the Nepalese. NO. 26. The All-India Radio broadcasts a number of bulletins in Nepali that are popular not only in India but also in Nepal. has been demanding the restoration of reservation. Considering how receptive the government of India has been to the demands of various language groups. In fact. too. 6 for the Bhutias. Also. the President of the Sikkim Congress. The people of Nepalese origin.1018 ASIAN SURVEY. claiming that although the Nepalese community constitutes 70% of the total population. XXVI. 26 Jul 2013 04:19:12 AM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions . February 24. This content downloaded from 14. Apparently the Indian government is taking a sympathetic attitude on this question.26 But the position of Nepali cannot be said to be as unfortunate in India as is Hindi in Nepal. 1984. 3 for the Scheduled Castes. and some modus vivendi may be arrived at soon. certainly cannot complain that they are being denied the opportunity to join the Indian Army. 1982.25 An organization called "All-India Nepali Bhasa Samiti" started a relay hunger strike in New Delhi's boat club (situated near Parliament House) lasting for a week. The Statesman. has requested that the Supreme Court quash the 1980 Representation Act. The West Bengal government has already accorded a special status to Nepali in that state that enables the speakers of this language to avail themselves of several privileges. it is being denied equality of opportunity in electoral politics. Ram Chandra Poudyal. The Sikkim Assembly has already passed a resolution to this effect.139. The Nepalese community. and 1 for the Buddhists. on the other hand. changed the earlier provisions by reserving 6 seats for the Lepchas. September 25. The Times of India. one should not be surprised if Nepali is also included as an official language at the regional level in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution before long. led by Chief Minister Nar Bahadur Bhandari (himself of Nepalese origin). and this holds true for the problems of the Nepalese community in India. has gone to the extent of demanding an autonomous Gorkha State in India. is increasing its demands for a separate state called Gorkhaland. Apart from solving the day-to-day problems of migration and emigration.27 Conclusion There is no denying that the people of Nepalese origin living in India are faced with a number of problems.211. consists of face-to-face dialogue between the governmental leaders of these two countries without any loss of time.PARMANAND 10 19 However. Nepalis all over the northeast are exhorting their leaders to come out in support of the Gorkhaland movement while GNLF emissaries are fanning out all over the country preaching about the Indian government's policy of "apartheid" toward the community. Meghalaya. This content downloaded from 14. Needless to say. 26 Jul 2013 04:19:12 AM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions . 1986. pp. The entire Nepali community in India has begun a battle to acquire legitimacy and defend its rights in its adopted land. 68-70. and Assam have been placed in a difficult situation by both their leadership and the inept handling of the situation by the local administration. an organization called the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) has demanded the abrogation of the 1950 Treaty between India and Nepal since in its view the Treaty is inimical to the interests of Nepalese in India. leave much to be desired. it will also ensure greater cooperation between these two countries in the context of the movement toward South Asian Regional Cooperation. primed by the eviction of 7. 27.52 on Fri. it is the Nepalese who have received the maximum advantage from the Treaty of 1950 in terms of obtaining employment and owning property in India.000 Nepali immigrants by Meghalaya in March 1986. however. Some 3 million Nepalis spread over the hill districts of West Bengal. the Indian government cannot dismiss any community's genuine problem for long. Recent developments in India's northeast. Its leader. In October 1983 Ghising met Prime Minister Chand of Nepal and apprised him of the Front's demands. India Today.139. The best solution to the problems experienced by the Indian community in Nepal and the Nepalese community in India. Sikkim. In fact. But since India is an open society. The epicenter of this gathering storm is the Darjeeling district of West Bengal where the GNLF. June 30. however. Subhash Ghising. it is sometimes alleged that they have the double advantage of citizenship of both India and Nepal.