Former Minister Golchhe Sarki of Dalit community passes away.
Kathmandu, Dec 30. Former Minister of Nepal Mr. Golchhe Sarki passed away here on Friday while undergoing treatment at Norvic Hospital, reports ekantipur.com. He was suffering from diabetes for a long time.
Late Golchhe Sarki, who was born in a Dalit community of Kathmandu, had arisen from his own traditional occupation of shoe making. His entry to the politics was sudden, and was the direct result of himself being bold, blunt and loud in his voice for the masses. Late Sarki was elected a member of the Nepal’s upper house National Assembly from the CPN-UML seat in 1990, and came to much publicity after he assaulted the then Minister Ram Chandra Paudel during a Parliament session.
His contribution to Dalit movement in Nepal is recognizable especially in enhancing the awareness of Dalits for their rights for nearly two decades. Nepalese Dalit community must remember him for his political popularity during the 1990s that had significant positive impact on the awareness level among the Dalit people, and pay tribute to his departed soul for his share of positive deeds for the Dalit movement.
The downside of late Sarki is that he was among those few in the UML who supported the February 1 move of King Gyanendra, and quit the party to support the erstwhile autocratic royal regime. In rewards, he became the Assistant Minister for Labour and Transport Management in July 2005 in the cabinet of King’s direct rule, when he said “My nomination is an honour for the whole Dalit society.” Later in December 2005 reshuffle of the royal cabinet, he became Assistant Minister for Women, Children and Social Welfare.
The nepaldalitinfo network, in deep sense of grief on the loss of one of the national level Dalit leaders, expresses its sincere condolence to the bereaved family.
In grief,
The nepaldalitinfo network
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Press Release:
NASO Community
Working in the United States and Canada
January 2, 2007
We are deeply saddened by the untimely demise of Mr. Golchhe Sarki. Mr. Sarki has contributed to the movement of the oppressed community in the last three decades. Beyond one’s imagination, he rose from the street to the Minister. No matter where we are, at every step in our life, the wound of caste-based discrimination pinches us all, so did it to him. He fought for it and advocated it throughout his life. Due to his strong desire to serve the community in more organized way, he became first President of Utpidit Jatiya Utthan Munch. The oppressed community has lost one great national leader.
Our sincere condolence goes to the grieved family. May his soul rest in peace.
Dharam Bishwokarma
President, NASO Community.
“My heartfelt condolence to the grieved family of Mr. Golchhe Sarki. May his soul rest in peace.”
Sincerely,
- Prakash Nepal, USA.
“I feel sad to know the untimely demise of Mr. Golchhe Sarki. I express my deep condolence to his bereaved family. Although he had been in King’s camp at the end of his life time, we know he had been a hero from Dalit community in Kathmandu in different times of his life.
He was a focal person when he stood as a candidate of mayor of Kathmandu leaving his shoe business from Pipalbote of New Road contesting against pro-government Panchayati candidate. He was all set to win the election, if the conspiracy was not made by the then rulers. Next time round, he was nationally popular when he showed his dissatisfaction with Hon. Minister Ram chandra Paudyal in the Parliament. He faught against Brahminism for long time. He was a courageous leader.”
- Om Prakash VK Gahatraj, Kathmandu.
I am deeply saddened by the untimely demise of Hon. Golchhe Sarki. My recollection of his achievements is that he made himself from scratch, all through his hardwork and determination. In this utterly sad moment, let us all remember him and his work in his true spirit, and pray for him and his family during their time of grief. Let’s all join hand and hand, and support his family when they need us the most. May god bless his soul!
In grief,
- Bishnu Pariyar, UK
I’m really sad to hear the loss of renowned Dalit leader as well as national leader Golchhe Sarki. I would like to express my deep sympathy to his family in such an unpleasant situation, and pray to the god for the peace of his soul.
- Gyanendra Gadal, USA.
Certainly it is a sad moment for all of us. It is very much noteworthy that late Golchhe Sarki travelled from “rag to rich”, both in terms of financial gain and political career. His contribution to Dalit movement is the formation and establishment of Utpidit Jati Utthan Manch which later merged to Dalit Jatiya Mukti Samaj. He is to be remembered for his courage not to tolerate any kind of insult to Dalit as he slapped the prominent Nepali Congress Leader Ramchandra Paudel for his humiliating remark to Dalit.
I do not know much about him, those of you who know more and his contribution to Dalit movement, please post on this network.
I would like to express my deep condolence on his untimely demise.
In mourning,
- Hira Vishawakarma, Kathmandu
I am deeply saddened by the untimely death of former Dalit leader Golche Sarki. For long time, he was the leader of Dalit community but at the edge of his life he joined the reactionary group. It was his blunder mistake of his activist life. So, the Dalit community should learn the good character from the two sides of his life. Anyway, we do join hand and support his family in these sad moments.
- Yam Bahadur Kisan, Kathmandu
I am very much shocked to hear the news of untimely demise of our leader and former Assistant minister Mr. Golchhe Sarki. My heartfelt condolence to the grieved family of Mr. Golchhe Sarki. May his soul rest in peace.
In grief,
- Ghanshyam Bishwakarma, Joensuu, Finland
I am really shocked reading the news of untimely demise of our Dalit Leader Mr. Golchhe Sarki. My heartfelt condolence to the grieved family.
May your heart mend and your memories stay strong.
-Suresh Mijar
Let us remember Golche Sarki, the leader of the country. Let us not confine him as Dalit leader. Let us remember him as a bold leader not as a leader who slapped Ramchandra Poudel. Let us remember him as a great person who raised himself from rag to the rich. And, let us create bold leaders like Golche and let us transform all rag Dalits as rich Dalits. Long live Golche’s boldness and the spirit to be rich from rag among Dalits.
- Dr. Bidya Nath Koirala, Kathmandu