The nature and impacts of 2015 Indian unofficial blockade in Nepal

English. This research analyses the nature of 2015 unofficial blockade in Nepal and finds out the impacts of it. For analysing the nature, the perception and experience of the respondents, Indian responses for blockade allegation and the ground on which blockade was lifted were analysed. The impacts of the blockade were discussed on political, social and economic aspects of the country. The study adopts qualitative research design. The data collected through semi structured interviews and document analysis and content analysis was the main technique used in data analysis. This study is based on colonial hangover perspective of postcolonial lens. So, it tries to see that if the legacy of colonialism persists in social, political and cultural aspects even after the political independence of colonized nations. The adoption of colonizers power to dominate and supress by colonized in the search of independence as discussed by Freire (2000) was seen to have been materialized in 2015 blockade in Nepal. Normally the colonized countries are said to have been oppressed and undergone severe difficulties during their colonial period. India in this sense, could not have been exception. In an attempt of overcoming this inferiority, India was seen seeking the ability to influence others. The nature of the blockade, the consequences, the proposed amendments in the constitution, support given to the dissatisfied groups, division among the people within the country, etc. show that India wished to establish indirect rule in Nepal. From the analysis it is found that in 2015 unofficial blockade in Nepal Madhesis protestants were seen on the ground actively involved blocking supplies to Nepal for putting pressure to address their grievances through constitution amendment. However, despite the repeatedly denial of allegation from Indian side, the political leaders in executive and most of the respondents believed that India had hand behind the blockade. Blockade influenced policy making and external relation of the country. Not only on household, educational and medical sectors, the impacts of blockade were seen in agriculture, environment and social psychology as well. Major impacts of blockade were seen in the economy of the country. When state mechanism was about to cease to function, black market flourished, and many business industries were closed. The economic growth was lowered beyond the expectation. These all consequences of the blockade indicate that India seems to have followed colonizer’s culture for keeping influence in its neighbouring state.

M-IR