Alliance for Independent Madhesh


Alliance for Independent Madhesh is a Nepalis' coalition of Madhesi people made up of activists, parties and various organisations working for establishing an independent and sovereign Madhesh state out of Nepal.
In 2007 AIM announced its manifesto and revealed its programs through a press conference in Kathmandu on 21 May 2012. It aims to achieve independence of Madhesh through peaceful and non-violent means. It demands an end to what it calls Nepal's colonization in Madhesh, an end to racism, slavery and discrimination imposed on Nepali people of Madheshi origin.
It claims to have the following three pillars:
  1. Independent Madhesh
  2. Non-violence and peaceful means
  3. Democratic system.

    Activities

AIM holds awareness programs, rallies and mass-assemblies demanding independence. It also participates in social work and environmental campaigns. In 2016, it initiated a so-called "One Million Neem Plantation Movement".

Referendums

In 2015–2016 AIM claimed to have held mock referendums in several districts of Madhesh, in which people overwhelmingly voted in favor of Free Madhesh. As a result, the government "intensified its brutal suppression against Madhesi activists" according to the activists themselves.

International response

Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Asian Human Rights Commission, Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales etc. have acknowledged and defended peaceful means used by AIM and demanded from the Government of Nepal for human-rights protection of the activists. They have also demanded for the rights to organise, peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.
The issue of Dr. C.K. Raut has been raised in the UK Parliament. India too have responded to the AIM's movement.