Caste discrimination still a major concern in Nepal

The deepening discrimination against the Dalit community has caused severe concern. Right advocates viewed it as a worrying issue to end discrimination based on caste.

At a program organized jointly by the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), and the Samata Foundation on Wednesday, a study report on 'Dalit Human Rights, 2078' was released. The report showcased the incidents of human rights violations against the Dalit people. As many as 88 violations have occurred during 2078 BS. Five Dalit people were killed merely because of caste discrimination during the year.

Similarly, 25 Dalit- women and girls- were raped during the year.

The report further stated the violations as murder and rape attempts, abetting of suicide, sexual harassment, invectives via social networking sites, not allowing to rent rooms, discrimination- in temple entry, not involving in community groups, etc.

Although such violations of human rights of the Dalit community were on the rising, the stories on these were not made public because of political pressure, financial lure and reconciliation, insecurity of victims, dearth of legal knowledge, and geographical difficulty, among others.

Among 88 incidents, only 10 were provided legal remedy via district courts. Similarly, 34 cases are under consideration in court, while 19 cases have not moved forward from the police officers because the alleged ones are absconding. Sixteen cases were settled in reconciliation.

Releasing the study report, Member and Spokesperson of the National Dalit Commission, Sundar Purkuti, accused the State agencies of not being sensitive toward human rights violations of the Dalit community. He informed that 36 cases of human rights violations of Dalits were registered in the fiscal year, 2077/78, which increased to 53 in 2078/79.

On the occasion, the Acting Chairperson of FNJ, Ramesh Bista, urged the media to pay attention to the issues of the Dalit community.

Foundation's Executive Chairperson Pradip Pariyar said the study report was published to make State agencies accountable.

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