The nepaldalitinfo deplores atrocity against dalits in Doti

The nepaldalitinfo network deplores the dastardly act of atrocities meted out to innocent dalits and human rights activists as they entered the Shaileswori temple in Dipayal of Doti district. The network sees this incident of violence intended to deny rightful worshiping by dalits in the temple as unwarranted and outdated surge of a madness lingering out of a remnant of medieval feudalism.

The incident of atrocities injuring over 50 dalits and human rights activists happened last Sunday in a very remote far western region of Nepal, where the feudal oppression upon innocent people, particularly dalit communities is still rampant on every day basis.

The incident was yet another eye opener for Nepal as a new state following the fall of feudalist royal government demonstrating that a mere declaration of the country as ‘untouchability free’ is not enough, and a concrete law, strong policies and associated programming are necessary for wiping out the age-old practice against the humanity. In fact, this could be taken as an acid test if the parliamentary declaration had any effect, and the test failed miserably.

The network calls upon the Government of Nepal for taking stern action against the perpetrators of dalit atrocities, and immediate redressing relief for all those of victimized dalits and human rights activists during their humble effort of providing opportunities for dalits to worship the deities of their own faith. The general apathy of the governmental agencies and their agents towards the Shaileswori temple case cannot be acceptable at a time, when the country is destined for swipping progressive changes.

The network calls upon all major political parties including Maoists to take this incident as the major set back to their agenda for dalits and reach out to the victims with appropriate remedial measures.

The nepaldalitinfo also calls upon all those people with sensible reasoning, who live or have their roots in the rural areas of Nepal such as the villages of Doti district, to realize from the core of their heart that practicing untouchability in temples is committing a grave crime against humanity, and is a horrific tradition handed down from the darkest side of the past, and to do any effort possible from their end to stop this age-old madness still rampant in their villages.

The network stands for all dalits in exercising their full rights to enter and worship in the temples of their faith, and is in full solidarity with all dalit communities and any organizations that are fighting for this cause.

The nepaldalitinfo is the largest international network of dalit intellectuals and friends of Dalits, who are connected across the globe in solidarity for Dalits of Nepal.

The nepaldalitinfo Moderator
Sunday, September 24, 2006

Reactions by Dalit intellectuals, organizations and human rights activists:

I am really shocked by the event recently occurred in Doti, Dipayal where numbers of Dalits have been injured by so-called non Dalits people. The series of events are occurring in Doti is serious case that is threatening to Government and Dalit Human rights worker. Moreover, the policy makers who have declared the nation as untouchability free are also challenged by the so-called non Dalits of Doti district. On hearing about this event, I have one question which is striking in my heart is why the Government is not serious on this case. Why the Government is dancing with a song of series of event occurred against the rights of Dalit. I personally would like to request everybody to raise this issue jointly and pressurize the Government for penalizing perpetuate of Doti case. With solidarity to DALIT of Doti
Thank you.

Mom Shreepaili
Kathmandu, Nepal
Phone:+977-1- 2004239
Mobile-9841277799
Email: mom_bk@yahoo. com

Today mass protest was organized by “Samyukta Dalit
Sangarsha Samiti” in front of Ministers Quater in
Pulchok against the incidence of Doti case for about 1
Hour.

The major demand of the protestores were-

1. To establish high level investigation committee for
the incidence of Doti Saileshowri Temple.

2. To punish the guilty.

3. To give compensation to the suffered dalit people
in the Saileshwori Temple Incidence in Doti.

4. To implement the Jestha 21st Paliament decision of
“Untouchability Free Nation” strictly.

5. To give guatantee of security to dalits from caste
descrimination voilences.

Protesters blocked road there by blocking ministers to
go to their duties. Home Minister Krishna Prasad
Sitaula walked to the protestors and committed to have
detail conversation with them at 12:00 PM this
afternoon in the home minister’s office. In the same
way Minister for Cultural and Civil Avaition, Pradip
Gyawali committed to the raise the voice of Dalits in
the cabinet level, along with the incidence of Doti
Case. Minister for Labor and transportation Ramesh
Lekhak has also taken this case seriously and
committed to solve this problem as soon as possible.

Pradip pariyar
Sachin Amatya.
Wed, 20 Sep 2006 21:17:07 -0700 (PDT)

Few month ago government themselves declare Nepal is a untouchability elimination country but after few month right now we seen inhuman behavior to the Dalit people although they are same religion of Hindu but Dalit peoples still are not allow to entrance under the temple. Sept 17 2006 ,( on Bharda 312063 ) in Doti Sailasowre temple after complete workshop by Dalit peoples when they return back from temple containing with local administration CDO and security force but that time this local non Dalit 400 hundred peoples was huge attacked to the Dalit peoples. From this invasion 56 Dalit were injured , Doti district Sailaswory temple incident 20 of the injured persons are in very serious within 56 effected persons. Silgadhi Bazaar has been highly tense from this event. Doti District Administration Office is not supporting the Dalits peopls from Non Dalit upper caste peoples violation , although they are witness.
We extremely request to Home Minister for fulfill the all Dalit victims human right demand .
Motilal Nepali
DWO, Kathmandu
Mon, 18 Sep 2006 15:55:34 +0545

Administrators were mum when such activity took place.

As a result of discriminating Dalits in the public place and demonstrating promoting caste based discrimination which was against the law, local Dalits organized various programs at local level and submitted a memorandum at DAO demanding action against the perpetrators and assurance that such discriminatory practice will not take place in future. Thereafter, in 17th September 2006, District Administrative Officer coordinating with all concerned parties committed that Dalits are respectfully allowed to enter temple and those practicing discrimination against caste will be prosecuted.
In the days to come, to not repeat such incidents again, state must assure that Dalits will not be discriminated in the basis of their caste in any places. And in the meantime, victims also have to be compensated.

Suvash Kumar Darnal
Chairperson
Jagaran Media Center (JMC)

Other international reactions:

Protest rally in Nepal follows beating of 60 dalit trying to worship in a Hindu temple

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AdvocacyNet
News Bulletin 77, September 21, 2006
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PROTEST RALLY IN NEPAL FOLLOWS BEATING OF 60 DALIT TRYING TO WORSHIP IN A HINDU TEMPLE

September 21, 2006, Kathmandu and Washington, DC: Around 60 Dalit have been hurt by Hindu protesters after trying to break centuries of taboo and discrimination and worship in a temple where they have long been refused entry.

The violence occurred on Sunday in the village of Silgadhi, Doti district, and is one of the most serious confrontations since protests sidelined the monarchy earlier this year. Untouchability is banned under Nepal’s constitution, and the newly-restored parliament has declared Nepal a secular state. But the caste system is fiercely defended in villages by those who view Dalit rights as a threat to their privilege.

According to the Jagaran Media Center (JMC), a partner of the Advocacy Project (AP), Dalit fled for their lives following the clashes and sought refuge outside the village. “We strongly appeal for their protection and to save their lives,” says the latest JMC bulletin.

Police also arrested more than 50 Dalit activists Wednesday for holding a rally outside Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala’s house to protest the attacks. The activists attempted to submit a letter to the prime minister demanding action be taken against the upper-caste people who beat up the Dalits.

The attacks have also caused widespread concern among Dalit outside the country. Prakash Nepal, from the Nepali-American Society for Oppressed Community (NASO), a leading lobby organization for Dalit in North America, described the attacks as “shocking” and “barbaric.”

The JMC reports that tension has been rising in Silgadhi since Dalit women were “abused” by the priest at the Shivalaya temple on August 26 as they tried to worship during a religious festival.

Dalit activists and civil society groups then met with the political parties, Maoists and police and drew up an agreement allowing Dalit to worship at the temple of Saileswori. The District Administrative Officer warned that anyone trying to prevent them from entering would be prosecuted.

In spite of this, a mob attacked the worshippers as they tried to enter the temple and then went on a rampage in the village, burning two Dalit organizations. Five policemen are among those reported injured. Fifteen of the injured are reported to be in serious condition.

The role of the Maoists is likely to be watched carefully in the weeks to come. During the war, Maoists outlawed untouchability in many regions under their control and applied rough justice to those who ignored their edicts. The Silgadhi protestors have clearly not been deterred by the Maoists’ support for the government in this crisis.

An AP mission to Nepal last October 2005 profiled the uphill efforts of Dalit to exercise their right to worship in Eastern Nepal. AP also sent two interns from Georgetown University to work with JMC this summer. AP is currently seeking to strengthen JMC’s network of community-based reporters who monitor human rights in the villages.

* For the JMC bulletin, visit: http://www.advocacynet.org/cpage_view/DalitIssues_bulletin1_59_319.html
* For AP’s profile of Dalit activism in the villages of Nepal visit http://www.advocacynet.org/cpage_view/APDiaryNepal_blog1_57_300.htmlhttp://www.advocacynet.org/cpage_view/06jmc1_NicolesBlogs_75_438.html and
AP intern Stacey, visit: http://www.advocacynet.org/cpage_view/06jmc2_staceysblogs_76_439.html

The Advocacy Project is based in Washington, DC. Phone +1 202 332 3900; fax +1 202 332 4600. To visit the AP website for information about our current projects, please go to: www.advocacynet.org. For questions or comments about the AP and its projects, please email us at info@advocacynet.org.

Shaileshwari case coverage by Rajendraonline:

http://wordpress.com/tag/shaileshwari-event/

Kantipur Report

DIPAYAL, Sept 18 - Over four dozen dalits were injured Sunday when a group
of non-dalits attacked them as the former entered the local Shaileswori
temple. The condition of 15 among the injured is critical. Even dalit women
were injured in the attack.

Dalits had entered the temple following an agreement last week between
representatives of seven parties, Maoists, civil society, and district
administration allowing dalits to enter the temple under the supervision of
district police office. The district administration had reached an agreement
with the temple’s priest as well to allow this.

However, things turned nasty after non-dalits attacked the dalits and
vandalized offices of some organizations working against caste
discrimination.

The rowdy group also attacked journalists who, along with rights workers,
fled from the district headquarters Silgadi fearing for their lives.

“Non-dalits broke the heads of dalits because of the district
administration’ s negligence,” said Dharma Singh Bishwokarma, coordinator of
Dalit United Struggle Committee. “The administration allowed pro-king
elements who do not want the House declaration enforced, to do as they
wish,” he added.

The vandals damaged computers in Sama Bikas Center Doti and Doti branch of
Dalit Women’s Association, and also tore office documents.

The group also attacked journalists Min Bam, Tekendra Deuba, Ran Bahadur
Bohara and Siddhiram Upadhyaya and even seized a camera. They also injured
five policemen, including DSP Moti Singh Dhami while the latter tried to
stop them from pelting stones at the district administration office.

The vandals chanted slogans against the seven parties and journalists in
favor of the king.

Issuing a statement, Jagaran Media Center, a media alliance against caste
discrimination, has demanded government action against vandals and
compensation for victims.

It has also accused the local administration of being a mute spectator to
blatant violation of law. The statement says that Silgadi bazaar is tense
and dalits are either fleeing the place or hiding in groups. “We strongly
demand security for their lives,” the statement says.

you can see this news in http://www.ekantipur.com/

Commentaries/Press Releases:

Dalits staged protest at the gate of Prime Minister against Doti Incident (Commentary by Hira Bishwakarma)

NASO Community Condemns the Shaileswory Temple Incident

Dalit Welfare Organization (DWO)’s Press Release

RDN Nepal’s Press Release

Breaking News:
Over 50 injured in clash between Dalits and [so called] ‘upper caste’ people in Doti

At least 50 people were injured when a group of [so called] ‘upper caste’ people attacked Dalits when the latter tried to enter into a temple in Silgadhi, the district headquarter of Doti, Sunday afternoon.

The upper caste people, who have been barring the local Dalits from going inside the temples for puja, attacked with batons and pelted stones as soon as a group of Dalits tried to enter into a local temple.

Human rights activists and journalists who had gone to the site following reports of violence were also injured in the scuffle.

15 of the injured persons are in serious condition. Silgadhi Bazaar remained tense for some time as the upper caste people gheraoed the District Administration Office “for not stopping the Dalits from going inside the temple”.

Few policemen were also hurt when the mob attacked them. They also attacked the offices of Dalit rights groups in the district headquarters, according to reports. nepalnews.com mk Sept 17 06.