Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict in Nepal: Identities and Mobilization after 1990 (Routledge Contemporary South Asia Series)

Identity movements, based on ethnicity, caste, language, religion and regional identity, have become increasingly significant in Nepal, reshaping debates on the definition of the nation, nationalism and the structure of the state. This book analyzes the rapid rise in ethnic and nationalist mobilization and conflict since 1990, the dynamics and trajectories of these movements, and their consequences for Nepal. From an interdisciplinary perspective, the book looks at the roots of mobilization and conflicts, the reasons for the increase in mobilization and violent activities, and the political and social effects of the movements. It provides a historical context for these movements and investigates how identities intersect with forms of political and economic inequality. Nepal’s various identity groups - Dalits, indigenous nationalities, Madhesis and Muslims - have mobilized to different extents. By examining these diverse movements within the same time period and within a unitary state, the book illuminates which factors are more salient for the mobilization of identity groups. Bringing together empirical contributions on key issues in identity production in a comparative perspective, the book presents an interesting contribution to South Asian studies as well as studies of nationalism and identity more broadly. Cover 1 Title 8 Copyright 9 Contents 10 List of Illustrations 12 List of contributors 13 Acknowledgments 15 List of abbreviations 17 SECTION 1 Contextualizing nationalism and ethnic conflict 20 1 Introduction: nationalism and ethnic conflict in Nepal 24 2 Ethnopolitics and ethnodevelopment: an emerging paradigm in Nepal – with a postscript 54 3 Nepali economic history through the ethnic lens: changing state alliances with business elites 77 SECTION 2 Identities and movements 102 4 Problems of identity for Hill Dalits and Nepal’s nationalist project 104 5 The National Muslim Forum Nepal: experiences of conflict, formations of identity 121 6 Boycotting Dasain: history, memory and ethnic politics in Nepal 140 7 In pursuit of recognition: regionalism, Madhesi identity and the Madhes Andolan 164 8 Refusing to choose: the Muslim Madhesis and the coexistence of religious and regional identity in Nepal’s Tarai 192 SECTION 3 Trends of Nepal’s ethnic and nationalist movements and conflicts 210 9 Dynamics of mobilization: varied trajectories of Dalit, indigenous nationalities and Madhesi movements 212 10 Transforming ethnic politics, transforming the Nepali polity: from peaceful nationalist mobilization to the rise of armed separatist groups 245 Index 276 Identities and Mobilization after 1990 Part 1. Contextualizing nationalism and ethnic conflict: Introduction: nationalism and ethnic politics in Nepal / Susan Hangen and Mahendra Lawoti; Ethnopolitics and ethnodevelopment / Krishna Bhattachan; Nepali economic history through the ethnic lens / Mallika Shakya Part 2. Identities and movements: problems of identity for Dalits in Nepal's nationalist project / Steven Folmar; Boycotting Dasain: history, memory and ethnic politics in Nepal / Susan Hangen; The National Muslim Forum Nepal: experiences of conflict, formations of identity / Megan Adamson Sijapati; In pursuit of recognition: regionalism, Madhesi identity and the Madhes Andolan / Bandita Sijapati; Refusing to choose: the Muslim Madhesis and the coexistence of religious and regional identity in Nepal's Tarai / Mollica Dastider Part 3. Trends of Nepal's ethnic and nationalist movements and conflicts: dynamics of mobilization: trajectories of Dalit, indigenous nationalities and Madhesi movements / Mahendra Lawoti; Transforming ethnic politics, transforming the Nepali polity: from peaceful nationalist mobilization to the rise of armed separatist groups / Mahendra Lawoti. Ethnic and nationalist movements surged forward in Nepal after restoration of democracy in 1990. This book analyses the rise in ethnic mobilization, the dynamics and trajectories of these movements and their consequences for Nepal