Along the Border, An Indian 'Connection' To Nepal Protesters

The protesters have managed to cut off supplies to Nepal through the critical border crossing for more than two weeks now.

Raxaul:  About 200 metres from the Nepal border, in the Indian town of Raxaul, a makeshift community kitchen opened up around two weeks ago. Hundreds of protesters from Nepal, who have pitched tents on the stretch of no-man’s land between the two nations, eat two meals a day at the kitchen.

The protesters are from the Madhesi community, who share ethnic ties with people across the border on the Indian side. They are protesting Nepal’s recently adopted constitution which they allege, infringes on their rights.

The protesters have managed to cut off supplies to Nepal through the critical border crossing for more than two weeks now. Nepal alleges, the protesters have Indian help – an accusation that the Indian government has strongly rejected.

But despite no state help, businessman Mahesh Agarwal, who is running the kitchen, says he and other volunteers are spending more than Rs 1 lakh everyday on the food.

Many of his relatives live on the other side, said Mr Agarwal, who runs a soap and chemical business with a big presence in Nepal. He says they will run the kitchen as long as needed as they support the agitation.

“What kind of democracy is Nepal that a group of people is demanding something for 50 days and no one is listening to them?” said Mr Agarwal.

The protesting Madhesi community said they expect help from their Indian kin.

Vijay Mansingh, one of the leaders of the agitation, said, “Yes, people on the Indian side are helping us and there is nothing wrong with that. Till we cripple supplies to Kathmandu, the government there will not listen.”

Officially, India has rejected as “totally false” allegations that it has imposed a blockade, saying it is the responsibility of the Nepal government to facilitate the entry of trucks.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh earlier this week urged the Nepal government and protesters to initiate dialogue and end the impasse.