The movement of tenant farmers from Swargadwari Guthi in Dang, held at Maitighar, Kathmandu which began on February 2, 2025, was concluded on March 24 after an agreement was reached with the Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation. During the sit-in, various creative methods were adopted. Participants demonstrated traditional Tharu attire, carrying agricultural tools. They also beat plates, wore black armbands, lay down on the streets, chained themselves with iron shackles, and staged sit-ins at political party offices while submitting demand letters. Throughout the protest, they regularly expressed their pain and demands.
The farmers stayed at a Dharma shala in Gaushala and peacefully marched daily to Maitighar Mandala and political party offices. While the movement was ongoing in Kathmandu, rallies, sit-ins, torch processions, and other activities were also carried out in Dang. The movement was conducted in a leadership of Guthi Tenants Struggle Committee while assistance was provided by CSRC and NLRF for media and policy level coordination including a few management related tasks.
On the 15th day of the movement, 12 leaders from the District Land Rights Forum of Sindhupalchowk joined to express their solidarity. Additionally, they provided financial assistance for the medical treatment of those who were sick. On the 30th day of the movement, under the leadership of the National Land Coalition, 13 affiliated member organizations—including the National Land Rights Forum Nepal, National Dalit Network, Nepal Women’s Unity Society, COLARP, Juri Nepal, CSRC, Amnesty International Nepal, Himawanti Nepal, Abhiyan Nepal, Swan Nepal, ASF Nepal, International Land Coalition Asia, and National Land Coalition Nepal—issued a joint press release to express their solidarity.
The key demands of the tenant farmers of the Swargadwari Guthi
A legal provision should be enacted to ensure the registration of land cultivated by tenant farmers under their ownership. Of the total 713.16 hectares of land being cultivated by tenant farmers, the 406.36 hectares where tenancy rights have already been established should be formally registered as private property in the names of the respective tenant farmers. Outstanding dues such as kut (traditional land rent) and arrears, which remain unpaid due to the removal of tenancy rights of tenant farmers, should be waived once and for all.
- The rights of the evicted tenants of privately designated Guthi lands should be reinstated.
- An arrangement should be made for tenants to pay the rent for registered land through their local ward offices.
The media has given extensive and prioritized coverage to the movement.
“We have come to the final battle with the slogan ‘Either freedom or the land title in hand’. That land of Swargadwari Guthi is not theirs, it is my land, it is my father’s land, it is my grandfather’s land.”
A Unique and Organic Movement
Farmers arrived in the capital carrying lentils, rice, and blankets. Each household had collected and sent six kilograms of rice, amounting to a total of 150 quintals gathered from villages. When they reached Kathmandu, the cold had not yet subsided. Despite this, dressed in their traditional Tharu attire and showcasing agricultural tools, the farmers stood firm in their demand for land ownership certificates. Through various distinctive and creative activities, they sustained their sit-in and movement for 51 days.
Current Context
At the end of the movement, Prabin Dahit, Spokesperson of the Swargadwari Guthi affected Tenant Farmers Struggle Committee states, “During this period, multiple rounds of discussions and dialogues took place. Sit-ins and dialogues were held at the offices of political parties. Following our persistent movement, positive pressure from the media and concerned bodies increased, leading to a constructive dialogue with the government negotiation team after 51 days at the Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives, and Poverty Alleviation, in the presence of Honorable Minister Balram Adhikari. The government assured that our demands would be addressed by proposing amendments to the Guthi Act in Parliament and guaranteeing tenant farmers’ rights. The proposed bill has now been approved by the Ministry of Finance and is currently under review at the Ministry of Law.”
Written by: Sushma Neupane, Niharika Chaudhary and Bishwash Nepali
Edited by: Knowledge Management & Communications Unit
