Indigenous Voices on “No Koshi” Movement

Abstract

This study explores the politics of naming and Indigenous recognition in Nepal through an analysis of the “No Koshi” movement following the renaming of Province No. 1 as Koshi Province. Grounded in critical toponymy and decolonial theory, the research aimed to examine how Indigenous communities interpret naming as a site of recognition, erasure, and resistance within Nepal’s federal restructuring. Guided by an interpretive philosophical position, this study followed a qualitative approach using an ethnographic research design. The data for the study came from multiple sources: 30 semi-structured interviews, 3 FGDs, 5 participatory observations, and secondary materials. All the collected data were carefully examined and interpreted through thematic analysis. The findings revealed six interrelated themes-highlighting that naming is both a symbolic and political act tied to collective memory, procedural legitimacy, protest, and aspirations for inclusive federalism. The study concludes that Indigenous voices were marginalized in the renaming process, undermining principles of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC). It recommends institutional reforms to ensure participatory governance, cultural recognition, and equitable representation within Nepal’s federal framework.