Controversy Erupts as CPN-UML Leaders' Remarks on Madhesi Community Draw Criticism

Kathmandu. The statements made by CPN-UML Chairman and former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli regarding the Madhes region, and those by party Secretary Mahesh Basnet based on insufficient knowledge of the Madhes' language, have hurt the sentiments of the Madhesi community.

As elections approach, there is discussion in the Madhes region about whether the expressions made by UML Chairman Oli and his confidant Basnet were deliberate or merely coincidental.

Senior leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, Balen Shah (Balen), while addressing a rally in Janakpur a few days ago, stated in the Maithili language: ‘Aai ego Madhesi chhaura pradhanmantri banewala hain, tai leel ghanti me vote nai dai ke hai, sahi log aabai hai, tai leel mat dai ke hai.’

The Nepali translation of Balen's statement is: ‘A son of the Madhes is becoming the Prime Minister today, so do not vote for the bell (RSP symbol); vote for the right person who is coming.’

The word ‘chhaura’ used by Balen means ‘boy’ or ‘young man’ in Nepali. UML Secretary Basnet, not understanding the meaning of the word in Maithili, tried to ridicule Balen by interpreting ‘chhaura’ as ‘chhaura’ (meaning calf/young animal in some contexts or misinterpreting its sound in Nepali context) and applying a Nepali interpretation.

Following this, former Prime Minister and UML Chairman Oli, in an interview with a television channel, said: ‘Damak in Jhapa is among the clean cities, among the organized cities. It is much more advanced than the situation in Mahottari or Dhanusha, it is exceptionally clean. I do not know if he (Balen), coming from that culture, will teach us to burn cow dung cakes or what. This place is much more advanced.’

Oli's statement has drawn considerable criticism against UML in the Madhes region. Criticism has mounted, alleging that UML Chairman Oli has insulted the entire Madhes.

UML Deputy General Secretary Raghubir Mahaseth offered a clarification at a program in Janakpur on Saturday. He asserted that there was no intention to insult the Madhes and the Madhesi community and claimed that Mahesh Basnet had already apologized regarding the matter.

Following intense criticism, UML Secretary Basnet issued an apology via Facebook. He stated: ‘Regarding the context where Balen brother said I am a son of the Madhes, it appears that some individuals have promoted with wrong intentions the matter of me inquiring about its meaning in Maithili. I am a person who always respects the Madhes, the Maithili language, culture, and identity. I request that you do not misinterpret and spread what I did not say. I urge everyone not to be misled by propaganda spread with wrong interpretations. If anyone was inadvertently hurt in the process, I apologize.’

Discussions have also begun on how much the recent statements by Oli and Basnet will affect UML's votes in the Madhes region.

Political analyst E. Satyanarayan Sah, based in Janakpur, stated that the remarks by UML leaders have hurt the feelings of the Madhesi people. ‘Even without this, the entry of Balen was not viewed positively by the people there towards UML,’ he said. ‘When UML leaders start making such statements amidst this, it has offended the voters.’

Sah added that the question naturally arises: how will voters cast their ballots for a party whose chairman himself makes statements that insult the voters?

The matter was also raised during the UML Madhes Province Committee meeting held in Janakpur on Sunday, which was attended by all candidates from the Madhes Province.

UML candidates expressed that the statements made by influential party leaders were causing difficulties in their respective constituencies. CPN-UML Madhes Province Chairman Chandeshwor Mandal claimed that the error occurred due to a linguistic mistake and stated that they were instructed to explain this to the public accordingly.

He said, ‘The statements made by our party leaders are linguistic errors. Not everyone has knowledge of all languages, so such expressions arose due to a lack of linguistic understanding. There was no intention to belittle or insult anyone.’

Province Chairman Mandal mentioned that they are currently informing the public about this. He claimed that since voters understand this expression arose from a linguistic error, it will not affect the party.

Previously, statements made by UML leaders during the Madhes Movement caused significant problems for UML in the region. As a result of those statements, UML leaders faced a virtual boycott in the Madhes, leading to reduced votes for UML in the 2074 elections. After the 2074 elections, UML Chairman Oli became Prime Minister. Subsequently, he improved relations with the Madhes, resulting in UML securing good votes in the Madhes in the 2079 elections.

Currently, the possibility of UML's votes deteriorating in the Madhes region is increasing due to the recent expressions by UML leaders.