‘Federalism based on linguistic specialty is a better option’
At a time when different ethnic groups have intensified their agitations demanding ethnicity-based federal system, linguists have said that federal structure based on linguistic identity could be a better option.
Senior linguist Prof. Nobal Kishor Rai says that as political system, social behaviour and psyche of the people is determined by the language they speak, language can be the basis for dividing the nation into federal states.
He, however, cautions that availability of resources, dominance of ethnic groups and geography should not be ignored while giving priority to language for state restructuring.
In his view, each state government will have to ensure that people get their primary education in their mother tongue whereas Nepali, which is irreversible as a national language, or any other dominating language around as the second language and English as the foreign language for international communication, should also be taught in schools.
“This will help all the people in Nepal to communicate and do other activities conveniently,” he adds. There should not be more than one language taught to primary level students,” says he.
President of Maithil Mahasnagh, Amresh Narayan Jha, also claims linguistic federalism is the most suitable option for Nepal. “The current struggle by various communities erupted due to the suppression they faced for centuries from Nepali-speakers,” opines he, proposing 7 to 9 states based on linguistic identify.
According to the census of 2001, there are 92 languages spoken in Nepal. Of them, the number of languages spoken by more than one percent of the population is 12. About 95 percent of the total population speaks these 12 languages. “Taking into account the criteria for formation of a state, few of the linguistic groups can be merged into one state,” Jha says.
Chuda Muni Bandhu, a linguistics professor at the Tribhuvan University, also suggests the adoption of language as the basis for the restructuring of the state as since public sentiments are closely attached with their mother tongue. “People’s sentiments can be better addressed if they are dealt with respect to such attachment,” he adds.
Notably, the concept of federalism proposed by the Maoists over the years is related more to linguistic identity than anything else — even as they prefer to name it as ethnic federalism. “Magar is not only an ethnic group but also a language. Tamang, Newar, Gurung, Maithili or Thaur are similar examples based on which the Maoists have devised their concept of federalism,” Jha says.
“The demands for linguistic federalism have already reached the zenith and the state can not suppress this voice. Attempts to suppress these voices will bring disaster,” he warns. Jha sees little possibility of the ongoing movement for right to self-determination based on linguistic identity dying down.
According to Bandhu, the demand for a separate state by Chepang community is because of the very consciousness about the importance of language and its link to their socio-economic conditions. “If the problems are not addressed on time the demands for separate identity by various linguistic groups may arise. So the best option will be to form states based on linguistic dominance. At the same time, it should be ensured that smaller dialects in all states get a chance to exist and thrive.”
However, there are confusions regarding the language as the basis for state restructuring. Despite the efforts of linguists to press ahead their point, 90 percent of the languages have no script. They exist only in speech, whereas community, Rai for instance, can be multi-lingual.
Prof Rai says, “Language is not the sole basis for state restructuring, however. Availability of resources, population of ethnic groups and geography should also be taken into consideration along with language. But linguistic identify is a strong basis,” he adds.
Though the political parties have agreed to go for federalism homework on how to divide the nation into federal governing units is yet to start. With the debate over the future federal system intensifying, the suggestions of linguists could provide some insights to the parties in logically restructuring the state.
Published in Nepalnews.com