ANTA Press Release On Madhesi Movement

PRESS RELEASE

Association of Nepali Teraian in America (ANTA) has noted with concern the continuing disruption of normal life in the Terai region of Nepal. ANTA believes that the recent success of negotiations between the Seven Party Alliance (SPA) Government and the Communist Party of Nepal (M) leading to the promulgation of an Interim Constitution, Interim Parliament and the forthcoming Interim Government offers the best opportunity ever to restructure the Nepali state so as to reflect the best interests and aspirations of all Nepalis, including the traditionally marginalized people of the Terai region. ANTA firmly believes in democracy, fair political competition and proactive policies by national government as means to overcome the disadvantaged position in which the people of Terai have been relegated by the past regimes. Keeping a forward looking approach, ANTA sees the holding of the Constituent Assembly (CA) elections as central to forming an inclusive democratic system in Nepal.

Aware of the high stakes in a successful transition, ANTA calls on all the political leaders and Nepali people to show highest levels of tolerance, restraint and accommodation at this critical juncture of political transition. Welcoming the statements, as reported in the media, by the government leaders as well as the leaders of both factions of Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM) to engage in negotiations to resolve outstanding issues, we call for expedited negotiations to end violence and strengthen the democratic process. ANTA also shares The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Nepal’s concern over the arrest of Madhesi activists and political party members and calls for their immediate release. In the best interest of Nepal’s national unity and democracy, ANTA also calls on the government to respond promptly to the legitimate demands of the people of Terai region including speedy distribution of citizenships to all those eligible, population as the basis of representation, greater autonomy to the people of Terai region and better and visible representation of Terai people in all aspects of government. ANTA firmly believes that the overall development of Terai can only result in a stronger Nepal.

For further information or queries in this regard, contact Mr. Mukesh Singh, Spokesperson, ANTA at (614) 370-9652 or ileshsingh@gmail.com.

Der hai andher nahin. I am so glad for this statement, especially this part: "....ANTA also calls on the government to respond promptly to the legitimate demands of the people of Terai region including speedy distribution of citizenships to all those eligible, population as the basis of representation.."

Federalism we will get through the constituent assembly, but the Madhesi Movement for now and for the next few months has to focus on these two central issues.

(1) Citizenship papers for all Madhesis --- the government has decided to give it to 33 lakh more, the real number should be twice that much -- and we have to agitate. A government that denies the citizenship papers is inviting separatism, is with those who have started calling for a separate country.
(2) All 205 constituencies should be based on equal population. Democracy means one person, one vote.

We have to make these two demands, and stick by them through thick and thin, and we have to measure the progress and lack thereof. We are soldiers of non-violence. If we stay passive, the vacuum will be filled by those who speak the language of the gun.

What can the Prabasi Madhesi do? Money, message, organization. I think we could start with the small step of creating a fund that will facilitate videoblogging of the Madhesi Movement as it happens, so the Prabasi Madhesi feels closer to the action and thus is more in tune. And we also do it to get world opinion on our side.

We have to make the Madhesis in Nepal feel we are very much with them in this movement.

And by the way, Divita Mehta has a standing offer for Madhesis in the tri-state area, to gather on Any Given Sunday.

http://madhesi.blogspot.com/2007/01/bhojpuri-songs.html

ANTA, NYC Gathering
Sunday 6 PM
Curry In A Hurry
119 Lexington Ave, New York 10016
At 28th St

Divita Mehta, so instrumental with the Wall Street To Nepal
(http://ehmwall.blogspot.com) project, is sponsoring it, paying for everyone.

http://madhesi.blogspot.com/2007/01/bhojpuri-songs.html

It will be a free flowing conversation. Some topics to discuss: the
ongoing Madhesi Movement in Nepal, internalized prejudice, gender and
the Terai, and whatever else you come up with.

http://madhesi.blogspot.com/2007/01/movement-time.html

I was thinking of not showing up for the lunch gathering tomorrow at the Ritesh-Bindu place in New Jersey, but after this statement I am more likely.

Hi All,

Let us get together to discuss future course of action of ANTA, NY Chapter.
The proposed schedule and venue are as mentioned below.

Date:
20th january 2007(Saturday)

Venue:
East Rutherford
NJ-07073

Agenda/ schedule:
1 PM: ANTA NYC What all we achieved and missed in 2006.
1:30 PM ANTA NYC Course of Action for 2007.
Future meetings (coordination,frequency etc)
Future members(Further expansion in tristate if possible)
Further involvement of current members'

2:PM to 3:PM Potential Projects in coordination with ANTA

3 PM onwards casual talk on different issues ranging terai.

Please feel free to add any thing that you may want to discuss.
Lunch will be available In-house.

Requesting Binay Jee and Paramendra Jee to co-ordinate travel for the
members who may need a ride.

Looking forward to see you all.

With Best Regards,

Ritesh

And welcome Lalit Jha, the newest member of Hamro Nepal. I would really like it if ANTA members were to help me expand Hamro Nepal deep inside the Madhesh. There is a certain efficiency to the ways of Hamro Nepal.

Typhoid And Typhoid Victims
Prabasi Madhesi Are With The Madhesi Movement In Nepal

I think ANTA members need to do some phonebanking. There are about 60 phone numbers here. If we can get 12 volunteers, we could divide up this list. And we would call up all these people to express moral support to the Madhesi Movement.

1. Maithil Mahasangh Mr.Amresh Narayan Jha chairperson 01-4331785
2. Nepal Maithil samaj Mr.Mithlesh Jha chairperson 98510-23319
3. Maithil Bikash Manch Mr.Dhirendra premarshi chairperson 01-5536994
4. Maithil Mahila samaj Mrs. Anjala Jha chairperson 01-6637061
5. Akhil Nepal Yadav Mahila Sangh Mrs. Prabha Yadav chairpersan 01-4472471
6. Gopal Sewa Samiti (kathamndu Branch) Mr. Suryanath Gope chairperson 01-4331284
7. Abdhi sanskriti bikash parisad Mr. Biswanath Pathak chairperson 01-4479873
8. Nepal Bhojpuri Pratisthan Dr. Bansidhar Mishra chairperson 01-4378790 98510-65500
9. Nepal Bhojpuri Samaj Mr.Deep Narayan Mishra chairperson Birgunj
10. Nepal Bhojpuri Sahitya kala Parisad Mr. Nagendra Prasad Kanu chairperson Birgunj
11. Sudee Samaj Mr. Rameshwor Shah chairperson 01-4482339 01-4488951
12. Teli Kalyankarini Sameti Mr. Shree Govinda Shah chairperson 01-5526903
13. Tharu kalyankarini Sameti Mr. Narendra Chaudhari chairperson 01-5011021
14. Chitra Gupta Sewa Sameti Mr. Rajeev Singha chairperson
15. Nepal Kushwaha Mahasangh Mr. Bharat Prasad Mahto chairperson 01-4490329 98510-36960
16. Brahmarshi Samaj Mr. Saligrame Mishra chairperson 01-4771951
17. Maithil Brahman Sabha Mr. Bhagwan Jha chairperson 01-6633220 98510-23094
18. Maithil Nava Yuba Sahitya Parisad Mr. Kesab kumar Jha chairperson 01-4484099 9841-280734
19. Maithil nava jagran Sahitya Parisad Mr.Rakesh Kumar Rosan chairperson 01-2002734 9841-311241
20. Kalwar sewa Sameti Mr.Kishori Chaudhari chairperson 01-4412099
21. Tajpuriya Samaj kalyan Parisad Mr. Nitya Nanad Tajpuriya chairperson
22. Nepal Deo Samaj Mr.Rajkumar Deo chairperson
23. Nepal Mandal Dhanuk Samaj Mr. Rambali Mandal chairperson 9841-324256
24. Mithila Samaj Mr. Nabin Jha chairperson 9841-262953
25. Nepal Millat Paresad Mr. Raj Mohmad chairperson 98510-24015
26. Nepal yadav sewa samiti Pro.Dr. umakant yadav chairperson 01-4330852
27. Madheshi Dalit Development Fedration Bisheshwor Rajak Chairperson 031-552093 98510-08013
28. Media Action & Research Group 'MARG" Mr. Rajesh Ahiraj chairperson 01-2043418 9841-219169
29. Madhesh Adyan Tatha Bikash Samaj , Nepal Mr. Ramchandra Prasad Barnawal chairperson 01-4350073 98510-06279
30. Madhesh Jagran Abhiyan Mr.Pasupati Mishra chairperson 01-4471264
31. Terai Bikash Manch Mr.Jaya prakash sahni chairperson 01-4272643
32. Nepal Terai Baudhik samaj Mr. Ramkishor Singh chairperson 01-4464109 9841-297508
33. Terai Bikash Pratisthan Mr.Ramesh Jha chairperson 01-4771413
34. Terai Baudhik Samaj Mr.Abdhesh Singh chairperson 01-4244980 98510-98092
35. Nepal Terai Engineeyar Samaj Mr. Sitaram Shah chairperson 01-4272895
36. Madheshi Dalit Jana Adhikar Forum Mr.Rajendra Ram chairperson 01-4480453
37. Madheshi Jana Adhikar Forum Mr. Upendra Yadav chairperson 01-4480453
38. Santi r Bikashka lagi Madhesh pratisthan Mr.Bindeshwor Yadav chairperson 01-4331107
39. Madheshi Rastriya Manch Mr.Ramchandra Ray chairperson 01-4490329
40. Madheshi Manav Adhikar Kendra Mr.Jaya prakash Gupta chairperson 01-4480453 98510-35799
41. Nepal Pichhdavarg Mahasangh Mr.Bharat Prasad Mahto chairperson 01-4490329 98510-36970
42. Awam Sahara Nepal Mr.Mohmad Nijamudeen chairperson 01-4243274 98510-30148
43. Nepal Madheshi Bikash Parisad Mr.Shiva Sankar Yadav chairperson 01-4249832
44. Madheshi Maitry Kendra Mr. Kesori Mahto chairperson 01-5591303 98510-81030
45. Madheshi Nagrik Samaj Dr. Dambar Narayan Yadav chairperson 01-4472900 01-4472471
46. Madheshi Manav Adhikar Sarokar Kendra Mr.Bishwonath Yadav chairperson 01-5551176
47. Terai sanskritik Pratisthan, Nepal Mr.Shree Prasad Shah chairperson 01-4231827 9841-390809(sanjiv)
48. Mahila Jagriti Samaj Sewa Kendra Mrs. Asha Chaturbedi chairperson 01-4483716
49. Jagriti Nepal Mr. Bijay Kant Karn chairperson 01-5521797 01-5542344(Res)
50. Nepal Madhesh Bikash Parisad MR. Ram Awatar Yadav chairperson
51. Acadamy of social justice & Human Rights Dr. Ram Kewal Shah vice-chairman 01-4781557 98510-23999
52. Madheshi Bidyarthi front Mr.Kesab Jha chairperson 9841-280734
53. Teli Kalyan Samaj Dr. Chandeswar Shah Chairman 4222-226 (W)
54. Sudi Samaj Rameshwar Shah Chairman 4488-951 /98412-98042
55. Madhesh Dalit Samaj Bishweswar Ranjak
56. Tajpuriya Kalyan Samaj Parisad Nitya Nand Tajpuriya Chairman 4256 569/ 98510-86932
57. Tharu Kalyankari Sajha Kem Narayan Chaudhari 4477-688
58. Muslim Samaj Khalil Miyan
59. Muslim Samaj Lal Babu Kabadi 2043 390/ 98510-91836
60. Nepal Madheshi Bidyarthi parisad Mr. Chandramauli Prasad Chaudhary chairperson 98030-49623
61. Terai Bidyarthi Parisad Mr.Saroj Yadav chairperson 98030-27177
62. Terai Bidyarthi Samaj Mr.Saroj Yadav chairperson 98030-27177
63. Madheshi Student Society of Law Mr. Rajesh Jha chairperson 98510-59018(Raman)
64. Tharu Bidyarthi samaj Mr. Chandra Narayan Chaudhary chairperson 01-2021871
65. Madheshi Bidyarthi front Mr. Keshav Jha Chairperson 9841-280734