In light of Nepal’s history of systemic social exclusion, the 2015
constitution seeks to redress the issue of political marginalisation by
providing for political representation in government and creating
institutional mechanisms for redressal of the grievances of ethnic
minorities, Dalits, women, Madhesis, Muslims and geographically
disadvantaged populations. These grievances include those caused
by inherent and acquired vulnerability over time in a downward spiral
of discrimination, poverty, disadvantage, and incapability. How the
voices and choices of marginalized communities become part of the
‘public’ policy process of local, provincial, and federal governance
structures is yet to be witnessed. While their participation and access
to services is vital for the credible implementation of Nepal’s new
constitution, the evidence points to ongoing marginalisation driven
by political disregard for inclusion in the entire state restructuring
process. Persistence of marginalisation is likely to cause long-term
instability if there is lack of substantive engagement between
aggrieved groups and their governments for redressal of root causes
of vulnerability.