It is seven decades since the Dalits joined their hands together and rallied against caste based discrimination and widespread untouchability. Dalit civil society has been active to ensure that their issues are heard and rights guaranteed. Nepal has been declared as an ‘Untouchability Free State’, while the Caste-Based Discrimination and Untouchability (Offence and Punishment) Act of 2011 is in place with the provision of punishment and compensation to the victims. Even the National Dalit Commission (NDC) was established in March 2002.
Dalit politicians and leaders from different political parties come under the same platform under the Dalit Caucus. Most importantly, political groups including sister Dalit organizations of political parties within the Dalit community joined hands with Dalit civil society, which was crucial in leading meaningful mass movements in Nepal.
Despite all this, the recent cases of Laxmi Pariyar and Ajit Mijar indicates that the scourge of caste continues in Nepal. Earlier, the cases of Sete Damai, Shiva Shankar Das, Manbir Sunar speak to the practice of Dalits being discriminated against and beaten to death. By now, it is certain that only the names of victims’ change; the fate of Dalits remain the same.
If justice is not served, the young sons of Laxmi Pariyar may take matter into their hands and take revenge on Tamangs. This will only increase the mob justice and ‘eye for eye’ culture. All citizens must therefore come together to end this violence and discrimination. There must be national and local debate on the issues and aspirations of the Dalit community. It is sad and unfortunate that Dalit leaders and politicians have become rubber-stamps to the political parties they belong to. Dalit leaders seem to serve their political masters instead of the community they represent.
Meanwhile, the state displays itself as Dalit friendly while the reality is quite different. In many instances, the state sponsors caste based discrimination. Until the state and its justice institutions maintain its discriminatory attitude, caste-based discrimination will not end in Nepal.
There is a big gap between service providers and right holders to ensure state accountability due to the lack of awareness among the Dalit community to claim those rights, and inefficiency of state mechanisms. Therefore, it is also essential to empower the Dalit community to claim and enjoy their rights through increased meaningful participation in state mechanisms.
The Dalit community should begin with Dr. B. R. Ambedkar’s motto of ‘Educate, Agitate and Organize’. The real work starts with the investment, engagement and action oriented strategy. The Dalit civil society along with Dalit leaders must opt for mass movement against atrocities committed against Dalit community. A joint strategy must be formulated with clear action plans for the future and expert assistance. There must be priority to place the Dalit populace inside state mechanisms.
Dalits cannot win this battle alone, as non-Dalits are the other side of the coin when it comes to the practice of caste based discrimination and untouchability. Therefore, it is wise to bring pro non-Dalits on board.
