Cultural transformation needed for building fair, civilised, equitable society: Prez Bhandari

President Bidya Devi Bhandari has said caste-based discrimination and the practice of untouchability is unacceptable for a civilised society.

She pointed out the need for cultural transformation of the whole society for building a just, civilised, decent, and equitable society, stressing concerted and continuous efforts from all sides for the same.

In her message on the occasion of the National Day on the Elimination of Caste-based Discrimination and Untouchability today, President Bhandari extended best wishes for happiness, peace, and prosperity to all Nepalis in the country and abroad.

The President expressed her concern that although the Constitution of Nepal and the legal framework under it have criminalised and prohibited all kinds of caste-based discriminations, exclusion, marginalisation, and violence, this practice remains to be totally uprooted from society, in practice, due to the traditional mindset, economic disparities and lack of awareness existing in society.

Likewise, the Head-of-State has called upon one and all to be active and resolute against this evil practice, caste-based discrimination, as it is a social and moral crime as well as a crime against human dignity.

She expressed the confidence that today's National day will inspire all towards consolidation of the national unity by promoting empathy amongst all through social awareness and upholding the feeling of mutual unity, friendship, and cooperation among all the castes and communities.

"May the National Day, today, motivate all towards building an equitable and prosperous nation free of caste-based discrimination and untouchability by enhancing mutual unity, goodwill and tolerance through the positive changes in the social and stereotypical thinking, tradition, style and customs," President Bhandari said in her message.

The National Day on the Elimination of Caste-based Discrimination and Untouchability commemorates June 4, 2006, the day when the country was declared free of the practice of caste-based discrimination and untouchability.