 The International Crisis Group stated in 2007 that it was often used pejoratively for any people residing in the Terai not considered "true Nepali".One Madheshi stated in an interview that the ascription was "forced" upon the Madheshi people, but they accepted it and owned it by declaring that their land is "Madhesh", hence they are "Masheshis".The term "Madheshi" became a widely recognised name for Nepali citizens with an Indian cultural background only after 1990.