Social Science Engagement and Political Interregnum in Nepal

Silence on the part of the social scientists on the questions of ethnicity and state restructuring in Nepal ought to be a matter of concern, especially in a context where sociological, historical as well as anthropological knowledge appears to be critical in shaping the political debate on these issues. It must be clear to the scholars of Nepal that the nature of structural violence and inequality in the country is not about “ethnicity” alone. Therefore, it cannot be dealt within the framework of the proposed model of ethnic federalism. It is in the realm
of livelihoods that structural violence is mainly rooted and so marginalised populations within the ethnic groups ought to be the focus of attention.