Hybrid federalization in India, Sri Lanka and Nepal

In 2015 a new constitution in Nepal was promulgated which recognizes Nepal as a secular, inclusive, multi-ethnic and federal state for the first time. It is now at the early stages of implementing its federal structures and institutions. This is a pivotal time for Nepal. The five previous constitutions of Nepal failed and did not manage to avoid discrimination or overcome the domination of the majority ethnic group (Lawoti, 2007), and agreements with and principles for different members of society have not always been adhered to or delivered (Hachhethu, 2009). For more than 60 years Nepal has struggled to find appropriate solutions to problems of development, democracy, peace and equality (Von Einsiedel, Malone and Pradhan, 2012) and its new constitution has proffered a new direction for Nepal, albeit with continued contestation and disagreement.