Social Implications of Demand for Identity-based Federalism in Nepal

Abstract

Identity-based federalism is a form of federalism in which some or all the federal units/ provinces/ states are carved out based on ethnic or linguistic identity in an ethnically, culturally, or linguistically diverse country. It embodies the recognition of diversity and the accommodation of it to create unity in diversity. It fulfils the federal principle of self-rule and shared-rule. However, identity-based federalism has become a contested issue in Nepal. Indigenous nationalities of Nepal who have been socially, politically, economically, and culturally excluded have demanded identity-based federalism for the recognition of their indigenous civilization, inclusion, and self-rule in their historical territory. It is argued in this article that identity-based federalism can be an institutional mechanism for recognition and inclusion, addressing the structural exclusion and marginalization of indigenous nationalities of Nepal. It also helps alleviate deep ethnic divisions. Adopting the qualitative research and thematic analysis approaches to examine the implications of identity-based federalism in Nepal, this article argues that the implications of identity-based federalism are for recognition, inclusion, and self-rule of Indigenous nationalities. These claims have been made primarily based on secondary data and on the analysis of relevant discourses. This study contributes to the existing literature on federalism, adding its implications in the context of Nepal.