Livewire,

Let me explain something about Guthis. Newaris for hundreds of years had an endowment system just like the universities, hospitals, and charities in the US. For example, each community, temple, etc. had separate endowment funds or Guthis. The income from these endowment funds were used to fund jatras, festivals, and for upkeep of temples, palaces, and public resthouses. The assets of these endowment funds were mostly agriculturual lands and real estate land in prime locations that were donated by people or Malla kings. In the simplest form, this endowment system is called Guthis.

When Shah kings took over valleys, they took over a lot of these properties of Guthis. Later, Mahendra nationalised rest of the Guthis. However, transfer of Guthi land by corrupt government officials continued. Newaris always have had discontent over this issue but this came to forefront only after Maoist Government provoked it by canceling fundings for Indrajatra. Newaris were upset that first of Govt took the Guthi land away and second they are refusing to pay for what the Guthis were intended for. I do not think this issue will go away soon now.

I think the best solution would be:

1) Return Guthis to private trusts and Guthi Sansthan could just be regulatory body instead of custodian. The income from these land and real estate will be used to fund the community activities and Newari traditions, that are intended to benefit from Guthis.

2) If the Guthi land is being used to build hosptials, schools, universities, colleges, police station, give credit to original Guthis for those insitutions. Give a board representation to members of these Guthi/community whose land was used it for. In addtion, Government should give alternative funding / continue providing expenses to these Guthis since the original purpose of these Guthis were for the local community and they should be compensated.

3) If Guthi land is being used by Government corporations for free or nominal amount, then give shares of those companies to the original Guthis. The income generated would be used for community activities or Guthis can sell their shares to start a new endowment fund.

4) Form an investigation committee to investigate any Guthi property that were transferred illegally to private parties. If it is practical, give the Guthi land back to original Guthi to benefit those it was intended to benefit. If the Guthi land has changed hands several times and are too fragmented and too expensive to get back, get the reasonable compensation from the original abusers and current users (who are benefitting from the use of the land). Use that compensation to create a new fund.

This way, first, Government will not have to pay for any festivals and rituals of any specific ethnic group as you pointed out. Second, Guthi land and property donated by our ancestors for common good of local community and to protect our tradition would be used for what it was intended for.