Kathmandu, Sept. 2 -- In a 2017 advertisement released by the Election Commission, the popular comedian duo Dhurmus and Suntali attempt to teach the Madhesi community how to vote. Suntali, played by Kunjana Ghimire, is seen surrounded by a group of Madhesi people explaining how to cast a vote while Dhurmus, played by Sitaram Kattel, disturbs them, saying this is unnecessary. Both Ghimire and Kattel are in blackface-makeup to make one look like a caricature of the community they're playing, in this case, Madhesis.

The ad faced a backlash, both and offline, with many asking why the same advertisement couldn't have been made with Madhesi actors instead of having actors colour themselves darker while putting on a stereotypical accent. The vi...