US Congress passes a historic resolution on Dalit issues

July 23, 2007- US Congress made a historic resolution on issues relating to Dalits and Tribals of India passing a bill entitled, “Expressing the sense of the Congress that the United States should address the ongoing problem of untouchability in India (H. Con. Res. 139 in 110th Congress (2007).” The bill was introduced by Republican Congressman Trent Franks with 33 other Congressmen as cosponsors. The resolution was passed, on the ground that “it is in U.S. interests to address the treatment of the Dalits and Tribals in India by: (1) raising the issue of caste discrimination and untouchability; (2) inviting Dalit organizations to participate in the planning and implementation of U.S. development projects; (3) prioritizing funding for projects that positively impact Dalit and Tribal communities, especially women; (4) ensuring that anyone receiving U.S. government funds in India is aware that it is U.S. policy that caste discrimination is unacceptable; (5) ensuring that qualified Dalits are not discouraged from working with the U.S. government or U.S.-funded organizations in India; and (6) discussing the issue of caste in the context of congressional delegations.” , as outlined in the summary is provided by the Congressional Research Service.

The fulltext of the resolution can be accessed at this link: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=hc110-139

Recommended citation of the Congress resolution:
GovTrack.us. H. Con. Res. 139–110th Congress (2007): Expressing the sense of the Congress that the United States should address the ongoing problem of untouchability in India, GovTrack.us (database of federal legislation) http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?&bill=hc110-139&tab=summary (accessed Jul 25, 2007)

Nepaldalitinfo adds:

The US Congress resolution has been a reality due to the long dedicated efforts of Indian Dalit activist group such as Dalit Freedom Network. In addition, US Congress has ventured the bill only after finding a green signal from no other than Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh, who, in the words of Congressman Franks quoting him, “recognized the similarities between untouchability in his country and apartheid in South Africa.” We should have no doubt that at this juncture of developing best ever relations between India and US, US Congress cannot afford to go against India bringing to their Congress floor the issues of Dalits and Tribals and discrimination meted out to them on daily basis. It was a clear and good sign that India may be doing something positive for Dalits in near future.

However, in the context of Nepal there is still a long way to go for Nepali Dalits to find a resolution passed in the US Congress for many reasons at hand including: 1) There is still a lack of strong activism/advocacy for Nepali Dalits to the level of raising their issues in the US Congress, 2) Government of Nepal is not yet keen on doing any thing concrete nationally or internationally for Nepali dalits, 3) Nepal is not a strongly developing US ally, and 4) Nepal unlike India is neither a huge economic or a political power for US Congress to reckon with.

Nepaldalitinfo also makes a note that the resolution as well as the speech of the sponsor Congressman Franks should have avoided the use of the derogatory term “Untouchables” as the name of the group, now known as Dalits rather than using the term as a condition of Dalits.