Social inclusion/exclusion: Policy discourse in Nepal

Abstract

The concept of social inclusion/exclusion originated initially in the North Europe and gradually spread to the South and from there has become a pressing national issue in Nepal for the last two decades. This issue has been vibrantly raised by the indigenous peoples (adibashi janajati), Tarai peoples (madhesi) and occupational caste groups (dalits) who are historically excluded from the mainstream social and political life and deprived off the social services. It is a fact that the poverty induced by the social exclusion became the key factor of Maoist insurgency for the last 10 years in Nepal. In response to the ongoing social movement of the excluded groups, the Nepal government has made promises and plans to make Nepali society and state inclusive. Their promises and plans have been articulated in the constitution, with various national laws, policies, national plans and development programs. Social inclusion and exclusion are also prominent in political debates, academic discourse and media coverage, and day to day rhetoric of general public. Yet, social inclusion/exclusion still remains an unresolved issue in Nepal. In this paper, I argue that social inclusion/exclusion is deeply rooted in the structural history of Nepal that encompasses multi-dimensional factors. Therefore, a critical analysis and deeper understanding of Nepal’s structural history, respect and recognition of social diversity as well as group identities and meaningful representation of the excluded groups in the state politics are key ways to make Nepal an inclusive society and a state.