The recent development in national politics related to the agreement between the government and secessionist leader CK Raut evoked mixed reactions from the ruling party, civil society, and the media.

However, the announcement of forming a new party called ‘Janamat Party’ by CK Raut has abated the speculations to a bit since his party publicly announced that they would join the mainstream politics abiding by Nepal’s constitution and its territorial integrity.

The NCP government led by KP Oli entered into an 11-point agreement with CK Raut on March 8, which welcomes the decision of Raut to join mainstream politics by abandoning his long-cherished demand for secession of Madhes from the country as a separate independent state.

It had come as a piece of stunning news for all sections, including the ruling party members. Some civil society members opposed the agreement on the ground CK Raut had not publicly renounced his secessionist design. Former PM and opposition leader Sher Bahadur Deuba, while welcoming the agreement, cautioned all concerned against any attempt to tamper with the country’s territorial integrity, including its sovereignty and national independence.

Some NCP stalwarts like Bhim Rawal complained of the failure of the party in power to consult other party members on an important issue like this and vociferously criticized the agreement, in particular its reference to ‘abhimat’ (people’s mandate) which, as Rawal alleged, could be interpreted as a call for referendum on the issue of free Madhes.

It is true that the wildly enthusiastic followers and supporters of Raut, soon after the agreement, held rallies shouting slogans for free Madhes. Even those who welcomed the agreement felt embarrassed and uneasy when Raut did not prevent his unruly followers from raising provocative voice for a separatist movement in defiance of the spirit of just concluded agreement.

The government, in particular, Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa categorically stated that the agreement would be null and void if Raut interpreted ‘people’s mandate’ mentioned in the agreement as an understanding to hold ‘referendum’ on secession.

There has been speculation that there was some kind of understanding between the apex court and the government, with the result that the court had ordered the release of Raut just one day before the government entered into an agreement with the secessionist leader. Reacting to such dramatic development, a section of the media became critical of the agreement and viewed it as something imposed from by some alien forces much the same way as had been the case with the Delhi-sponsored 12-point understanding much to the detriment of Nepal’s national interest.

The media in its commentary goes so far as to question the nationalistic credentials of PM Oli. It reaches the conclusion that Nepal is no longer safe from the evil designs of inimical forces both from within and without.

Now that an agreement has been signed welcoming Raut to join national politics, and that he has renamed his party as ‘Janamat Party’, we must give both sides the benefit of doubt while calling upon them to sincerely implement the agreement in letter and spirit keeping in mind the larger interest of the entire country and its people who crave for peace, freedom, justice, security and development and are opposed to any kind of separatist movement.

Tarai Madhes is an integral part of Nepal and the government must ensure constitutionally guaranteed fundamental rights and freedoms to the people living in that region without letting them grumble against discriminatory practices if such practices persist.