The Madhesi Upsurge and the Contested Idea of Nepal

Kalpana Jha is a Research Associate at Social Science Baha in Kathmandu, Nepal. She is former research fellow at Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. She was also an internal and regional security intern at Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies (IPCS), New Delhi. Her research interests include international relations in South Asia, ethnic and regional conflict as well as democratisation and political transition of weaker states. She is currently working on a book review essay on Pakistan’s political trajectory and democratisation for the Journal of Asian Security and International Affairs (JASIA) and her book review of Parties and Political Change in South Asia (ed. James Chiriyankandath) has been published in the JASIA. She has written several commentaries and op-ed pieces on the Madhesi issue as well as on Indo-Nepal relations. 

CHAPTER-I History of Nepal amid Contentions: The rise of Madhesi Identity.- CHAPTER-II Ethnic Awakening In South Asia: Drawing Analogy with Nepal.- CHAPTER-III The Construction of Nepali Identity: Onset of Madhes Struggle.- CHAPTER-IV Democratic Innovations, Globalisation and Identity Formation.- CHAPTER-V The Vulnerable Sovereign.- CHAPTER-VI Contemporary Politics: Directions and Dilemma.- CHAPTER-VII End of a Rebellion or beginning of new era of Revolution? Annex-I: Agreements between the Government of Nepal and the agitating Janajatis and Madhesi.- Annex- II: Caste and Ethnic Groups of Nepal.