EDITORIAL
Dalit rights
REPUBLICA
Even as we are in 21st century Nepal, the concepts of social justice
and societal transformation remain mere rhetoric limited to research
works and law books. The historic oppression and discrimination faced
by the marginalized communities, especially Dalits, is a true
reflection of lack of implementation of legal framework in the
country. Nepal formulated the Civil Rights Act way back in 1964,
during the same time as the US got its Civil Rights Act that became a
landmark piece of legislation in that country. The US Act outlawed
unequal application of voter registration requirements and racial
segregation in schools, at the workplace and by facilities that served
the general public.
Once the Act was implemented, its effects were far-reaching and had
tremendous long-term impacts on the whole country. But unlike in the
US, our own law at home failed to prohibit discriminations faced by
the Dalits and protect this marginalized groups' identity and rights.
One reason was that untouchability and other outdated practices are so
entrenched in Nepali psyche that breaking away from those needs strong
state action. Unfortunately, in Nepal, the Dalit problems have been
used as a political tool severely exploited by numerous political
parties for petty gains. Even while the Maoists espoused the cause of
the Dalits during the People's War days, the party failed to give the
backward and the marginalized communities representation within the
party, thus rendering the entire concept of inclusiveness hollow.
Every political party in Nepal has a separate Dalit organization,
which claims to work for Dalit welfare. But in reality, these
organizations have brought about sharp divide in the Dalit population
at large. Besides, over the years, the Dalit movement in itself lost
much ground with the creamy-layer of the Dalits taking sheer advantage
of their cause, thereby failing to penetrate to the bottom. Many NGOs
thriving in the country in the name of Dalit rights are actually using
this opportunity to gain money and fame. The result of all this is
that the poor Dalits are still ignored, discriminated and denied their
due share. Dalits form 13 percent of the total population of the
country, but 50 percent of them are illiterate, 77 percent of them are
agriculturally landless and they still form the majority of Nepal's
poor.
But all is not lost. It would help if the Dalit movement breaks away
from political exploitation and come up with a cohesive voice to show
a united stand. The 50 Dalit Constituent Assembly members shoulder a
historic responsibility to shape the future of this long deprived
group of people. And as the CA prepares to formulate a new
constitution, there is no better time than to guarantee the
constitutional rights of this underprivileged section of society.
Published on 2010-06-26 02:18:18
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