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Nepali Army

Madhesi youths have given a cold response to the Nepali Army (NA)'s recent recruitment in Sarlahi district, the heart of Madhes.
Of the 1,733 applications received for 953 rank and file at the NA's local Arjunban Battalion at Nawalpur recently, only 193 (11.1 percent) were from Madhesis.

The figure is in sharp contrast to Madhesi leaders' claims that the NA was imposing an "unofficial ban" on Madhesis seeking to join the national army. One of the key demands of the tarai parties during the last Madhes movement was group induction of Madhesis into the NA, and other state mechanisms.

Besides Madhesi applicants, 171 were from indigenous groups (Tharu and Danuwar) and another 468 were Janjati. Likewise, 61 Pahade Dalit youths and 840 Brahmin and Chhetri had applied for the openings, according to an NA source.

An army official said, "As very few Madhesis applied for the posts, the number selected is automatically low."

According to the results published Wednesday, the battalion selected a total of 953 men for training, including 23 Madhesis.

Similar is the picture at NA Headquarters. Out of 4,993 applicants received recently for officer level openings, only 76 (approximately 1.5 percent) were from Madhesis. Apart from Madhesis, 110 Pahade Dalit candidates have also applied. Here also, 3,883 (over 86 percent) applicants were Brahmin/Chhetri. The final results here are still awaited.

Expert on Madhes issues Bhaskar Gautam terms this a "natural tendency" as there were few Madhesis in NA posts in the past.

"As most semi-literate Nepalis often follow in the callings of their seniors, Madhesi youths cannot be any exception since their seniors were not in the NA," he opines. He further says that the Madhesi parties, which are raising the issue now, should encourage Madhesi youths to join the army.

posted by kamala @ 10:36 PM