Koshi Province: Identity-based movement losing steam

ITAHARI: The protest by people advocating for identity-based nomenclature for Koshi Province seems to be losing steam.

Protests erupted in eastern Nepal when Province 1 was officially named Koshi Province on March 1, leading to violent clashes that resulted in one death. Padam Limbu Lajehang of Dharan-15, who was injured in a clash with the police, succumbed to his injuries on March 24. The government declared him a martyr on April 7. Protesters vandalized government offices and set fire to signboards and hoardings bearing the name ‘Koshi Province’. Dozens of activists and police personnel were injured during the protest programs.

Activists organized protest programs across cities like Dharan, Dhankuta, Damak, and Biratnagar on a daily basis. However, the movement now appears to be losing momentum.

Leaders of the identity-based movement have also admitted that they have stopped organizing city-centric programs due to a lack of clear instructions from the central leadership.

Pro-identity leader Gopal Kirati stated that the protest has not lost steam. “It is true that our activities have become less frequent. This is because we have been busy expanding the organization,” he said, adding, “The protest will continue until our demands are met.”

According to Kiranti, their movement aims to eradicate discrimination based on caste and language in line with constitutional provisions. “We are expanding our presence in villages. Likewise, we are organizing training programs to develop new strategies,” he added.

Identity activists have formed a struggle committee comprising 43 groups. Kirati revealed that they are conducting symbolic protest programs while expanding the committee. He believes that the movement to implement constitutional provisions will eventually come to fruition.

Chirhang Rai, the president of the Itahari chapter of the Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities, said they were holding symbolic protests. “We are preventing lawmakers and ministers who are against the identity movement from entering our villages, towns, and streets,” he added. “We were also busy celebrating the Sakela Ubhauli festival of the Rai people. We held symbolic protests during the festival.”

Rai stated that protest programs will be organized in a creative manner in the coming days. “Our protests on the streets may lose significance, but our creative movement will continue,” he added.

Analysts say that the movement will not be successful unless activists gain support from people at the grassroots level. Although the protest has been defined as an ‘identity-based movement,’ only people from a specific community are taking to the streets. History shows that successful movements require the involvement of people from diverse castes and regions. The Maoist Center, which voted for the name ‘Koshi Province,’ later said it was a mistake.