Upendra Yadav, chairman of Janamat Party, today criticised Nepal’s constitution, federal system, and the state’s inclusive character, calling for Madhesh-centric political forces to reunite and struggle for their rights.
Speaking at the second national convention of the Janamat Party in Birgunj, Madhesh Province, Yadav questioned the constitution-making process, asserting that the Constituent Assembly did not draft the constitution. He claimed it was “imposed on the people by four or five scribes.” The convention began on Saturday, October 3, 2026, and also saw Dr. C.K. Raut elected unopposed as the new chairman of Janamat Party.
Yadav alleged that the constitution was promulgated “at gunpoint” following the killing of activists in Birgunj and other locations during the Madhesh movement. He argued that the geographical scope of Madhesh extends from Mechi to Mahakali, not just the eight districts currently recognised, recalling state agreements on an autonomous Madhesh province during the interim constitution and past movements.
He further criticised the current provincial structure, including Madhesh Province, as being “powerless and merely titular.” Yadav advocated for full autonomy for provinces, equipped with their own resources, judiciary, police, administration, and legislative powers.
Emphasising the principle of “jasko jati abadi, usai ko teti bhagidari” (participation proportional to population), Yadav demanded that representation in all state bodies be ensured based on population. He expressed dissatisfaction with the current representation system, particularly highlighting the low representation of Madhesh in the National Assembly, the upper house of parliament, with only five members. He described this as a mockery of the democratic system.
Yadav asserted that a system where one community, language, and culture governs while others are ruled and exploited is not true democracy. He stressed that genuine national unity would remain elusive until such discrimination is abolished. He also called for state recognition of the languages and identities of all communities in Nepal, a multilingual and multicultural country, advocating for the use and recognition of Madhesi languages in official government functions.
Yadav underscored the necessity of unity among Madhesh-centric political forces to secure Madhesh’s rights. He urged these forces to consolidate their strength and prepare for a renewed struggle. He suggested that demands for constitutional amendment or rewriting should be advanced through extensive national dialogue, political consensus, and public participation.
Yadav identified structural flaws, ambiguities, conflicts of rights and jurisdiction, weaknesses in provincial structures, border disputes, political instability, shortcomings in inclusion, and complexities in the justice and electoral systems as issues requiring resolution.
Nepal’s Constitution 2072 was promulgated on Ashoj 3 (BS). The Constituent Assembly had established 10 thematic committees to draft the constitution and three procedural committees to assist in the process.
Following its promulgation, Madhesh-centric parties launched protests, asserting that their demands had not been met. Key demands during the Madhesh movement included population-based electoral constituency delineation, inclusive proportional representation, provincial autonomy, and the expansion of Madhesh’s geographical boundaries.
In a symbolic act of protest, Upendra Yadav and other leaders of the then Madhesi Jana Adhikar Forum burned the interim constitution on Magh 2, 2063 (BS). The Constitution 2072 has been amended twice, with the second amendment in 2077 (BS) incorporating Nepal’s new map into the national emblem.
Official data to confirm the exact number of Madhesh representatives in the National Assembly was not immediately available. Furthermore, official details or investigation reports regarding Yadav’s allegations of killings during the Madhesh movement in Birgunj are not publicly available.
