The International Human Rights Day was observed yesterday (December 10) by various Dalit Rights organizations in Nepal and abroad. The related news and press releases follow:

सन् ०१७ सम्मलाई दलित्ा विकास दशक घोषणा गर्न माग

· नेपाल समाचारपत्र

काठमाडौं। सन् २००७ देखि २०१७ सम्मको अवधिलाई दलित विकासको दशकको रुपमा घोषणा गरिनुपर्ने एजेन्डासहित दलित गैर सरकारी संस्था महासंघले ५८औं अन्तराष्ट्रिय मानव अधिकार दिवस मनायो ।
आईतबार राजधानीमा एक कार्यक्रम आयोजना गरी मनाईएको सो कार्यक्रममा महासंघले मानवहधिकारको सर्न्दर्भमा अन्तराष्ट्रिय महासन्धि, अभिसन्धि घोषणापत्रमा नेपालले हस्ताक्ष्ँण गरेको भए पनि जातीय छुवाछुत तथा भेदभाव गर्नेलाई संरक्षण दिने काम गरेको आरोपसमेत लगाएको छ ।
महासंघले दलित मानवअधिकार प्रत्याभूत गर्न संवैधानिक आरक्षण, समानुपातिक समावेशिकरण, शैक्षिक अधिकार, राजनितिक एवम् कानुनी असधकार लगाएत आधारभूत अधिकारहरुको व्यवस्था गरिनुपर्नेमा जोड दिएको छ ।
कार्यक्रमका प्रमुख अतिथि बालबालिका तथा समाज कल्याण राज्यमन्त्री उर्मिला अर्यालले अँतरिम संविधान मन्त्रिपरिषदरमा पेश भएपछि आफुले दलितको सवालमा आरक्ष्ँणको व्यवस्था गर्न दबाब दिने प्रतिबद्धता व्यक्त गर्नुभयो ।
महासंघका कार्यवाहक अध्यक्ष टेकबहादुर रैकाको सभापतित्वमा सम्पन्न उक्त कार्यक्रममा सहभागी दलितका बुद्धिजीवी एवम नेताहरुले सरकार एवम राजनीतिक दलहरुले दलित अधिकारलाई वास्ता नगरेको र मानव अधिकार दिवस दलितहरुको लागि दन्त्य कथा भएको भन्दै आलोचना गरेका थिए ।

कार्यक्रममा उमालेकी नेता शान्ता मानवी, हिरा विश्वकर्मा, राष्ट्रिय दलित आयोगका पर्ूवसदस्यसचिव हरिबहादुर गान्धारी, सदस्य मीन बिश्वकर्मा, राष्ट्रिय सभाका पर्ूवसासंद विजुल विश्वकर्मा, महासंघका महासचिव बमबहादुर विश्वकर्मा लगनयतले राजनितिक क्रान्तिले मात्र दलित अधिकार स्थापित हुन नसक्ने बताउदै आर्थिक र सामाजिक क्रान्ति गर्नेपर्ने उल्लेख गरेका थिए । उनीहरुले जातीय भेदभाव अन्त्यको लागि राष्ट्रले राष्ट्रिय संकल्पका रुपमा लिएर अघि बढेनुपर्ने बताएका छन् ।

Posted by Suman Paudel from Kathmandu.

_________________________________________________

International Commission for Dalit Rights (ICDR)’s Releases a Press Statment

“Caste-based discrimination cause of poverty and violation of human rights”- ICDR

On the eve of international human rights day on December 10, International Commission for Dalit Rights (ICDR), a London based organization, urged the Nepal Government and Seven Party Alliance (SPA) plus Maoist to consider Dalit rights as a major agenda of state-reformation and Constituent Assembly. “In many countries including India, Dalit people are the victims of extrajudicial executions, torture, and rape and other forms of discriminations and ignorance in the democratic process. Dalit and other minorities are also internally displaced due to conflict, caste-based discrimination and violation. Democracy and good governance process must cover Dalit and minorities agendas for sustainable peace, progress and social justice. “, said an ICDR release.

The press statement signed by ICDR Secretary General D Bishwakarma Sagar said, “Over the years, 260 million Dalit people in the world have been facing caste (work and descent) based discrimination and obstacles to fully enjoy their fundamental and socio-political rights. Caste or work and descent based discrimination is major cause of human rights violation and poverty in the South Asia and part of Africa. Without addressing caste-issue in South Asia, it is impossible to fight poverty as the theme of International Human Rights Day 2006. Dalit people have not been able to protect and promote their rights in Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and other parts of Asia and some of the African Countries due to deep poverty and lack of access. Sadly, the UN, Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and other international policies have not been addressing caste-agenda as a major challenge of poverty, barrier of democratic process, human rights and social justice. However, global human rights and social justice movement have been trying to build solidarity and supports to establish Dalit rights in the contemporary world. “.

Courtesy: D B Sagar
Secretary General, International Commission for Dalit Rights
ICG House Room-301, Station Approach, Greenford,
London, UB6 0AL, United Kingdom
Email: icdr_dalitrights@yahoo.com
or
National Dalit NGO Federation (DNF), Central Office, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Email: dbsagar@dnfnepal.org , Web-site: www.dnfnepal.org

___________________________________

Dalits in interim statute draft panel unable to raise voice: Leaders

Himalayan News Service
Kathmandu, December 10:

State minister for Women, Children and Social Welfare Urmila Aryal and CPN-UML central committee member Shanta Manavi today criticised Dalit representatives in the Interim Constitution Dra-fting Committee for being unable to fetch anything for deprived community.
It was a ‘tit-for-tat game’ between speakers at an interaction on “Issues of Dalit Human Rights” organised by Dalit NGO Federation. The speakers were ‘urging’ each other to fight for the rights of the Dalits. The function was organised to mark 58th International Human Rights Day.
Dalit speakers urged state minister Aryal and Manavi to raise their voice for the Dalit communities in a rather aggressive tone. Aryal and Manavi suggested the victims pressurise the government.

“I am probably the first person to begin politics by raising the issues of the Dalits,” Aryal said, adding that she would do her best to support the cause of the downtrodden communities.

“What did Min Bahadur Biswokarma (representative for the Dalits) say at the ICDC? Representation alone is not sufficient when the representatives cannot stand with the agendas,” Aryal said. Manavi said he should have called on the Dalit leadership if he was unable to negotiate. Aryal said that a budget of Rs 10 crores has been allocated for the Dalits which will be released by the Ministry of Local Development every year.
Former Member of Parliament Bijul Biswokarma said that even after the April movement, higher class people abound in the state mechanism.
“We won’t accept any form of autocracy,” he said, adding that the political leaders were also following the path of the king which was ‘unfortunate’

Posted by Suman Paudel

दलित जातपात र छुवाछुतबाट मुक्ति
(Freedom from untouchability and caste discrimination)

A book of history and contemporary issues of Dalits in Nepal, written by Manohar Bamrel and published by Bhagat Sarvajeet Memorial Academy, Butwal, Rupendehi, 2006.

Freedom from untouchability and caste discrimination

दलित र व्दन्ध (Dalit and Conflict)
A book covering history and contemporary issues of Dalits of Nepal written by Baburam Bishwakarma, published by Bhagat Sarbajit Memorial Academy, Butwal, Rupendehi, 2006.
Dalit and Conflict by Baburam Bishwakarma

स्व. कपालीको सम्झनामा श्रद्धाञ्जली अर्पण

काठमाडौं मिति २०६३।८।२४ । दलित आन्दोलनका यी कालजयी नेता तथा श्रद्धय ब्यक्तित्व स्व. मोहनलाल कपालीको १३ औं दिनको पुण्य तीथिको अवसर पारी दलित गैरसरकारी संस्था महासंघले यही मंसीर २४ गते आईतवार महासंघको परिसरमा एक श्रदाञ्जली सभा कार्यक्रमको आयोजना गरेको छ । स्वर्गीय कपालीको तस्वीरमा माल्यार्पण गरेर आरम्भ भएको उक्त कार्यक्रममा दलित आन्दोलनका वरिष्ठ अगुवा कायकर्ताहरु, विशिष्ठ ब्यक्तिहरु लगायत कपालीका छोरा अनिल कपालीको उपस्थिति रहेको थियो भने स्व. कपालीको सम्झनामा एक मिनेट मौन धारण गरिएको थियो ।

स्व. कपालीको योगदानका वारेमा चर्चा गर्दै वुद्धिजीवि हिरा विश्वकर्माले मोहनलाल जस्ता दलित योद्धाहरुको संर्घष्ाकै फलस्वरुपः आज दलितले ठूला ठूला विकासमुखि कार्यक्रमहरु संचालन गर्न पाएका छन्, सांसददेखि मन्त्रीसम्म हुन पाएका छन् । तर जीवनमा एकदिन मात्र हुने श्रद्धाञ्जलीमा नय“ँ पींढीहरु वहा“को सम्झनामा एक थुङ्गा फूल चढाउनुभन्दा पद् हडप्न र भाषण गर्ने थलोको खोजीमा लुछाचुढी गरिरहेका छन् । आज जो आफूलाई मुक्ति आन्दोलनकर्मी ठान्दछन्, तिनले यी दिवंगत नेताहरुलाई विर्सेकोमा विश्वकर्माले दुखेसो ब्यक्त गर्दै आफूले पनि सम्मान खोज्ने हो भने पहिले आर्काको सम्मान गर्न जान्नु पर्छ, भन्नु भयो । त्यसैगरी श्रद्धय नेताको सम्झनामा श्रद्धाञ्जली र्समर्पण गर्दै वहा“का अनुयायी तथा वुद्धिजीवि ओम प्रकाश भिकेले कपालीले आन्दोलनको धरातल नकोरीदिएकेा भए आज हामी यसरी आफ्ना हक अधिकारका लागि खुलेर मैदानमा उत्रनसक्ने स्थिति नहुने वताउनु भयो । वह“ँले भन्नु भयो - “कपालीले नै चिया पसलदेखि न्यायलयसम्म दलितमाथि हुने गरेका जातीय भेदभाव र छूवाछूतजन्य ब्यवहारसम्मका लागि जीवनभरी संर्घष्ा गरेर आजका दलितहरुको शिर उचो पारीदिनु भएको छ र आज हामी हाम्रा मुक्तिका लागि निर्धक्क आवाज उठाउन सकेका छौं ।” दलित गैरसरकारी संस्था महासंघका कार्यवाहक अध्यक्ष श्री टेकवहादुर रैकाको अथ्यक्षतामा संचालित सो कार्यक्रममा पर्ूव सांसद तथा नेकपा एमालेका केन्द्रीय सदस्य शान्तामानवी, दलितका पर्ूव सांसद विजुल विश्वकर्मा तथा अन्य संघसंस्था का प्रतिनिधि तथा पत्रकारहरुले स्वर्गीय कपाली प्रति श्रद्धा सुमन अर्पण गरेका थिए ।

विसं. १९८० मा काठमाडौको कमलाक्षीमा जन्मेका मोहनलाल कपालीको ८४ वर्षो उमेरमा हृदयघातका कारण यही मंसीर १२ गते स्वर्गारोहण भएको थियो ।

तत्कालिन राणाहरुको हैकमवादी शासन संरचनामासमेत जातीय छुवाछूतविरुद्ध उनको सिंगै परिवारले उपत्यकाको अछूत विरोधी आन्दोलन हाँकिरहेको थियो । छुवाछूतलाई था“ती राखी र्सवहारा जनतामाथि रजाई गरीरहु“ र यो वर्गलाई शोषण दमनमा पारीरहु“ भन्ने राणाहरुको मानसिकताकोविरुद्धमा उनी लगायत दाजु सहर्षाथ कपाली, र टिआर विश्वकर्माहरु राजनीतिक आन्दोलनमासमेत लाग्नु भएको थियो । स्व. कपालीले गंगालाल, धर्मभक्त, दशरथ चन्द र शुक्रराजजस्ता शहीदहरुको अभ्रि्रेरणाले थुप्रै जातीय हिंसाहरुविरुद्ध सशक्त प्रतिकार गर्दै र समाजको तिरस्कृत व्यवहार खप्दै कहिले जेल खप्नु भयो त कहिले पशुपति प्रवेशको नेतृत्व गर्नुभयो भने कहिले पंचायतका व्रम्हणवादी मतिहारहरुलाई तर्सर्ाादै जातीय आन्दोलनको विगुल फुकी समग्र दलितलाई आफ्नो हक अधिकारका लागि व्यूझाई रहनु भएको थियो । २०२४ सालदेखि निरन्तर नेपाल राटि्रय दलित जनविकास परिषदको अध्यक्षसमेत रही वहा“ले दलितहरुको बिशुद्ध आन्दोलनलाई हा“क्दै नेपाल अधिराज्यका दलित अछूतहरुलाई आफ्नो हक अधिकारको वोध गराउनु भएकेा थियो भने थुपै दलित कार्यकर्तालाई राज्यको उपल्लो तहमा पुर्‍याउनु भएका कपालीले आफू गणेशमानको मीत्र भएकै कारणले पंचायतले पनि उहा“लाई सधै तिरस्कार गरीरह्यो । खेलकुद र टोल सुधारका लागि उत्तिकै उत्साहीत रहने मोहनलाल कुनैवेला रानीपोखरी कर्नर टीम (RCT) का चर्र्चित खेलाडी हुनुहुन्थ्यो भने पछि त्यसको प्रशिक्षक पनि हुनुभएको थियो । यसकासाथै मण्डली नाटकवाट पनि प्रजातन्त्रको वहालीका लागि सन्देश प्रवाह गर्नु भएका कपालीले धेरैवटा नाटक समेत खेल्नु भयो, लेख्नु भयो र खेलाउनु भयो । त्यसैगरी कपालीले नै विश्वज्योती सिनेमा हललाई काँचोर् इंटाले स्थापना गर्नु भएको थियो भने पछि वहाँले त्यसको व्यवस्थापकसमेत भई धेरै वर्षकाम गर्नु भयो ।
प्रस्तुतकर्ता:
सरोज दिलु

Related Biography:
Mohanlal Kapali: Ek Sangharshashil Chhabi (A Struggleful Image) - A Biography by Om Prakash VK Gahatraj (in Nepali language)

Dalits’ Rights under Nepalese Legal System
By Tek Tamrakar, Advocate (Gold Medalist/LL.M., Tribhuvan University, Nepal), 2003
Published by: Feminist Dalit Organization (FEDO)
Supported by: Lutheran World Federation (LWF)

“The Dalits of Nepal are subject to many forms of discrimination, exploitation, suppression and violence that jeopardize their basic rights, guaranteed by the national as well as international laws.”

“This book serves as an excellent advocacy tool as a resource for diverse practitioners including the human rights activists and the organizations working on Dalit issues.”

- Marceline P. Rosario, Country Representative
Lutheran World Federation, Nepal.

Price: N.Rs. 300. US$ 20.
Available from:
Feminist Dalil Organization (FEDO)
P.O. Box: 4366
Kupondole, Lalitpur, Nepal
Tel: 977-1-5520982, 5543986, Fax: 977-1-5520982
E-mail: dms@fedo.wlink.com.np

Table of Contents

CHAPTER – 1 HINDUISMANDCASTESYSTEM 1-7
1.1 CASTESYSTEM 1
1.2 HINDUISMANDDALITS 3

CHAPTER – 2 DALIT COMMUNITY UNDER NEPALESE LEGAL SYSTEM 8-29
2.1THECONSTITUTION ANDDALITCOMMUNITY 10
2.1.1 Right to Equality 12
2.1.2 Right to Freedom 16
2.1.3 Right Regarding Criminal Justice 19
2.1.4 Right to Culture and Education 20
2.1.5 F..ightRegarding Religion 22
2.1.6 Right against Exploitation 24
2.1.7 Right to Privacy 26
2.1.8 Right to Remedy 27

CHAPTER. 3 INTERNATIONALLEGAL OBLIGATIONS 79-94
THE DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLES AND THE STATE POLICIES… 30-47
3.1 DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLES AND STATE POLICIES AS A FORM OFS OCIO ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL RIGHT 34
3.1.1 Political Pluralism 37
3.1.2 Cultural Pluralism 39
3.1.3 Linguistic Diversity 41
3.1.4 Feministic Jurisprudence 42
3.1.5 Caste Discriminatiol1 44

CHAPTER – 4 EXISTING LAWS AND DALIS… 48-74
4.1 COUNTRYLAW(MULUKIAlN), 1963 48
4.2 HUMANRIGHTSCOMMISSIONACT. 1996 50
4.3 CIVIL’LIBERTIESACT. 1945 53
4.4 LEGALAIDACT. 1997 55
4.5 DEFAMATIONLIBELACT. 1959 57
4.6 LOCALSELF-GOVERNANCEACT. 1999 58
4.7 BOUNDEDLABOUR(PROHIBITION)ACT. 2001 61
4.8 SOCIALWELFAREACT, 1992 63
4.9 CHILDRENACT, 1991 64
4.10 NEPALCITIZENSHIPACT, 1963 65
4.11 CHILDLABOR(PROHIBITIONANDREGULATION)ACT. 2000 66
4.12 EDUCATION(7THAMENDMENT)ACT, 1951 67
4.13 RULEREGARDINGSCHOLARSHIP.2003 68
4.14 NATIONALBROADCASTACT. 1992 70
4.15 OLDHERITAGEPROTECTIONACT, 1956 71
4.16 MAHENDRASANSKRITUNIVERSITYACT. 1966 71
4.17 POLITICALPARTIESACT, 2001 72
4.18 PRESSANDPUBLICATIONACT, 1991 73
4.19 FILM (PRODUCTION,EXHIBITIONANDDISTRIBUTION)ACT, 1991…74

CHAPTER – 5 EXISTING DISCRIMINATORY LEGAL PROVISIONS AGAINST
DALIT 75-78

CHAPTER. 6 INTERNATIONAL LEGAL OBLIGATION ..75-94

6.1 DALITCOMMUNITY AND INTERNATIONAL LEGAL OBLIGATION 79
6.1.1 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948 80
6.1.2 International Convention on Elimination of All kinds of Racial
Discrimination, (ICERD) 1965 82
6.1.3 International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural
Rights (ICESCR), 1966 85
6.1.4 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR),
1966 86
6.1.5 Convention on Elimination of All kinds of Discrimination of Women (CEDAW), 1979 88
6.1.6 Covenant on Child Rights (CRC), 1989 90
6.1.7 Convention against Torture and other Cruel,
Inhumane/Degrading Treatment, (CA T) 1984 91
6.2 LEGAL STATUS OF INTERNAT/ONAL OBLIGATIONS 93

CHAPTER. 7
PREVAILINGSTATUSOF DALITIN NEPAL 95-112
7.1 PROBLEMS AND PERSPECfIVE OF THE DALIT COMMUNITY IN NEPAL 95
7.1.1 Untouchability and Discrimination 95
7.1.2 Low Participation of Dalits in Public Organs of State 97
7.1.3 Forced Labour 98
7.1.4 Acute Poverty 99
7.1.5 Stereotypical Text Books 99
7.2 DALITWOMENINNEPAL:PROBLEMSANDPERSPECf/VE 103
7.2.1 Domestic Violence 105
7.2.2 Trafficking 106
7.2.3 Dowry /07
7.2.4 Inter-caste Marriage /08
7.2.5 Unequal Remuneration 108
7.2.6 Violation of Right to Property 109
7.3 PROBLEMS’ OFBADIWOMEN 110

CHAPTER. 8
SOCIALJUSTICE ANDJUDICIARy 113-131
8.1 SUPREMECOURTONDALITCOMMUNITY 119
8.2 JUDICIALATTITUDETOWARDSDALITCOMMUNITY 121
8.3 JUDICIALACfIV/SM ANDCASTED/sCRIM/NATION 127

CHAPTER. 9
POSITIVE ATTEMPTS OF GOVERNMENT FOR THE
PROTECTION OF DALIT RIGHTS IN NEPAL 133.153
9.1 CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION FOR THE PROTEcrIVE D;SCRIMINATION. 134
9.2 NATIONALCOMMISSION FORDALIT 135
9.2.1 Some Problemsfaced by the Commission 140
9.2.2 Coordination with other Human Rights Organizations..143
9.3 COMMITTEE FOR DEPRESSED, DEPRIVED ANDDALIT COMMUNITY
(UPEKSHIT UTPIDIT DALIT BIKASSAMITEE) 147 .
9.4 NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR WOMEN 149
9.5 NATIONAL HUMAN R/GHTS COMMISSION 150
9.6 MINISTRY OF WOMEN, CHILDREN AND SOCIAL WELFARE 152

CHAPTER. 10
( ‘URRENTVOICESOF DALITFOR CHANGE 154-180
I0.1 RESERVATION POLICY 157
10.11 Development 159
101/.2 Rationality 161
10.1.3 Time Span 162
10.1.4 The Basisfor Reservation 163
10.1.5 Modalitiesfor the Reservation /63
10.1.6 Quantum of Reservation 164
10.1.7 Division of Reservation 165
10.1.8 Negative Opinions about Reservation 166
10.1.9 Protectionist Approach of Resel1′ation 167
10.2 THEISSUEOFDALITANDCONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 169
10.2.1 Inclusion of Right to Work and Accommodation 172
10.2.2 Right to Equality with Reservation 172
10.2.3 Equal Payfor Equal Work to Dalit /73
10.2.4 Inclusion of Specific Provision of Fundamental Duty to adopt
Directive Principle 174
10.2.5 Change to the Modality of Electoral System 174
10.’2.6 Specific Article for the Endorsement of Initiative and
Plebiscite Systenz 176
10.2.7 Inclusion of Re- call System 176
10.2.8 Amend Article 9 of the Constitution l77
10.2.9 Inclusion of Right against Untouchability as a Fundamental
Right… 177
10.2.10Extend the Scope of A/tide 46 of the Existing Constitution 178
10.2.11 Extend the Scope of Article 114 of the Constitution 178
10.21/2 Right to Life with Dignity 178
10.2.13 Free Medicare as a State Policy 179
10.2.14 Guarantee of Secular State 179
10.2.15 Constitutional Guarantee of Commission for Dalit 179

CHAPTER. 11
SOURCES OF SOCIAL CHANGE 181-186
11.1 SOCIALIZATION 181
11.2 PLANNING 182
11.3 LEGISLATION 183
11.4 EDUCATION 184
11.5 AGITATION\CONFLICT 185

CHAPTER. 12
GOOD GOVERNANCE AND DALIT ISSUE 187-191
12.1 TRANSPARENCY 188
12.2 RULEOFLAW 188
12.3 INCLUSIVE PARTICIPATION 189
12.4EQUITABLEGoVERNANCE 190
12.5 ACCOUNTABILITY.. 190

CHAPTER. 13
CONCLUSIONANDRECOMMENDATIONS 192-201

BIBILIOGRAPHY 202-204

The Nepali Dalit Social Movement is of interest to anyone who are concerned about Nepal’s caste system and the movement seeking to eliminate it. Authored by a lawyer and human rights activist Yam Bahadur Kisan, and English translation by Laurie Ann Vasily.

Contents:
- A brief Historical Background of the Caste Untouchability System
- The Emergence of the Caste System and Untouchability in Nepal
- Historical Development of the Nepali Dalit social Movement
- Organizational Leadership within the Movement
- Idology and the Movement
- Analysis, Issues, and Recommedations

Publication: LRPS Nepal (December 2005)
Number of Pages: 200
ISBN: 99946-35-19-0

Copies available in bookstores throughout Nepal and from the author.

Social Aspects of Dalit Community- An Analysis- 2006.

A book written by multiple authors, edited by Man Bahadur BK and published by Jan Utthan Pratishthan, Kathmandu, Nepal.

An analysis of social aspects of Dalit community

“UNEQUAL CITIZENS’

“The Nepal Gender and Social Exclusion Assessment (GSEA) study, entitled Unequal Citizens, attempts to understand how these institutions affect the people and suggests ways to overcome the obstacles. Iam confident that the GSEA will be very useful in translating Nepal’s development vision into actions. Some of the answers lie in the interventions recommended by the report, which also provide a sound basis for development partners to continue supporting Nepal’s ongoing efforts towards building a fair,equitable and inclusive society.”

“The study is the outcome of a collaborative effort by the Department for International Development (DFID) of the Government of the United Kingdom and the World Bank in close collaboration with the National Planning Commission. The NPC assisted the process by appointing an advisoryGroup of key government and civil society stakeholders to provide guidance to the study team. In addition, DFID, the World Bank and the Danish government supported a wide range of background studies and consultations whose findings have been incorporated in the report. The research was undertaken by a team of Nepaliand international scholars and development workers and adequately reflects the reality on the ground.”

Dr. Shankar Sharma
Vice Chairman
NationalPlanning Commission
Singha Durbar
Kathmandu, Nepal
January 2006

It is very saddening to hear this news. It has been reported that two Dalit children of 5 and 4 years have died in Argakhanchi district due to starvation. The news in Nepali follows:

अर्घर्ााँची , २० मंसिर । विषादीयुक्त खाना खादाँ अर्घर्ााँची जिल्लाको दलित बस्ती ढाकावाङ्ग गा. वि स वार्ड नंं २ दारिमपाटामा २ नावालकको मृत्यू भएको छ । स्रोतका अनुसार मृत्यु हुनेमा विजुली परियारका ५ वषर्ीया छोरी अन्जली परियार र ४ वषर्ीय छोरा सन्दीप परियार रहेका छन् ।

मंसिर ८ गते माइत हंसपुर गई खानेकुरा लिएर दिउसो १ वजे तिर घर र्फकदा काखका दुवै वच्चाको अवश्था नाजुक भैसकेको र हर्ेदा हेदै दुवैले प्राण त्यागेका थिए भने जेठो ६ वर्षा छोरा भने मावली घरमा बस्दै आएका थिए ।

आर्थिक स्थिती अत्यन्त कमजोर भएको कारण ज्याला मजदुरी गरी बिजुलीले आफ्ना छोराछोरी पाल्दै आएकी थिईन् । काम गर्दा गदै पनि छोरा छोरीको पालन पोषण गर्न कठिन भए पछि कहिले काँही भमेकै पनि वस्नु पर्ने स्थिती भएको सुन्नमा आएको छ ।

४ वर्षअगाडी काखको छोरा जन्मना साथ विदेश गएका उनका श्रीमान अझैसम्म अतोपतो छैन । सन्धिअर्कका संचारकर्मी सहयोगी वि.सी. का अनुसार “खाधान्नको अभावमा दर्ुइ बालबालिकाको मृत्यु भएको घटना सत्य हो, मेचीकालीमा समाचार पठाएको मैले नै हो”भन्नु हुन्छ ।

सन्दर्ीखर्क, संखेटारी मा.वि.का शिक्षक तथा संचारकर्मी शोभाखर पन्थी अनुसार “अर्घर्ााँची जिल्लामा खान नपाई मान्छे मरे भन्न सकिन्न । भाकै ार्न थाल्दा त्यहाँका छिमेकीहरुले बेवास्ता गर्ने कुराअवश्य हुँदेन । खानाको अभाव होला भोकै पनि परे हालान भमेकले आतिएका समयमा कुनै विषाद खानेकुरा आएर मृत्यु भएको हुनर्ुपर्छ। मैले संबन्धित मान्छे संग बुझ्नु पाएको छैन, बुझ्नु पर्छ” भन्नु हुन्छ ।

संन्धिखर्क चुत्राबेशीका व्यापारी एवम् बुद्धिजीवी चिरन्जीवी पौड्लले-बच्चाहरु कोमृत्यु भएको हो भन्ने सुनियो, आधान्न अभावले भन्दा पनि सानाबच्चा भोक लागेको वेला जे भेटाए त्यहि खाए, त्यो खाने कुरा विषालु भएकोले नै उनीहरुको मृत्यु भएको हुनर्ुपर्छ भन्नु हुन्छ।

स्थानीय समाजसेवी एवम् ने.क.पा. एमाले इलाका सदस्य राम वआदुर क्षेत्रीका अनुसार “बिजुली परियारले आफ्ना बच्चाहरुलाई मृत्युसंग लडेको देखेपछि रुदै, चिच्याउदै गुँहार मागे पछि के भएछ भनेर छिमेकी जम्मा भएको देअेर हामी पनि गयौ । यस्तो घटना करिी भयो भनेर अनुसन्दान गर्दा कोदोवारिमा मुसा मार्नका लागी चिउरीको पिना राखिएका केटाकेटी खेल्दाखेल्दै भोक लागेर पिना खाएका र त्यसैका कारणले उनीहरुको मृत्यु भएको हुनर्ुपर्छ” भन्ने क्षेत्रीको अनुमान छ ।

पोष्टमार्टम गरियो की गरिएन भन्ने प्रश्नमा “हामी समाजका बुद्धिजीवी, समाजसेवी, छरछिमेकी बसेर छलफल गर्दा शंका उपसंका गर्ने कुनै अवश्था नदेखिएको हुदाँ प्रहरी प्रशासन लाई कुनै सूचना नगरिएको, आर्थिक स्थिती अत्यन्तै कमजोर भएको हुँदा स्थानिए समाजसेवी राजनीतिक पार्टर्ीी सदस्यहरुको सहयोगमा मृतक बालबालिकाको दाहासंकार गरिएको हो” भन्ने कुरा राम बहादुर क्षेत्री बताउनु हुन्छ ।

This gives a fresh evidence that the lives in many Dalit families is worsening. The news from eKantipur follows:

Kids die of starvation

Kantipur Report

ARGHAKHANCHI, Dec 8 - The seven parties performed the final rites of two children who died from starvation in Arghakhanchi’ s Dhakabang VDC, Darimpata.

In what comes as a shocking tale of neglect, brother and sister Ram, 4 and Rama, 6, cried to death after their father Cham Bahadur Pariyar abandoned the family some four years ago and their mother was out of the home in search of food.

The two children who had been crying for the last four days longing for food finally died of starvation.

Pariyar, the father of two, disappeared some four years ago and the mother had gone been out in search of food when the two children died suffering from extreme hunger.

Nepaldalitinfo Report by: Pratik/DPR

December 09; Kathmandu. “Head of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Nepal (OHCHR-Nepal), Lena Sundh, has said impunity, lawlessness and social discrimination must end as the Nepal moves towards peace after the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the government and the Maoists.” www.nepalnews.com reports.

She is reportedly said, “It is essential to address longstanding discrimination against and social exclusion of Nepalis such as Dalits, indigenous peoples, communities such as Badis, groups such as ex-Kamaiyas, people with disabilities and sexual minorities.”

“In Nepal, one of the poorest countries in Asia, there is a direct link between discrimination and poverty for millions of people – discrimination creates obstacles for people to have access to opportunities and resources,” she observed, “The State has an obligation to take immediate and long term measures to eliminate discrimination and so address one of the root causes of poverty. For example, the situation of women in Nepal clearly varies depending on which community they belong to.”