Sakela on Streets: Demanding dismissal of Province 1’s name as Koshi through Sili (Photo Feature)

Kathmandu: This time Kirat community celebrated the Ubhauli festival by dancing on the streets. Identity Advocacy Community including Kirat celebrated Ubhauli through a Sakela dance demonstration.

The decision of the Provincial Assembly, held on March 1^st, to change the name of Province 1 to Koshi stimulated the Identity Advocacy Community for the identitarian protest. Supporting the protest, protestors came up with a creative way of marking the Ubhauli festival and continuing the demonstration by performing Sakela on the streets.

Identitarian protestors had reached New Baneshwor Chowk from Maitighar Mandala. They were also seen performing Sili during the demonstration. Protestors were carrying pamphlets with messages like ‘Dismiss Koshi as the name of Province’, ‘Rename the Province 1 on the basis of identity’ etc.

Province 1 Rename Joint Struggle Committee coordinated with Kirat Organizations like Kirat Yakyhya Chumma, Sunuwar Sewa Samaj, Kirat Yayokkha Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, and Kathmandu, to organize the demonstration.

Likewise, Kirat Yakthum Chumlung, Newa Tamsaling Province Committee Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Lalitpur managed the event to address their demand of dismissing the name of Province 1 as Koshi and rename it on the basis of identity.

(Glimpses of Identitarian protest via. dance)

(Photos by Saroj Basnet)