Interaction programme between National Dalit Commission (NDC) and Dalit NGO Federation (DNF): Experiences sharing on Dalit issues

Kathmandu, December 21- An interaction programme on “Experience sharing on Dalit issues” was organized between National Dalit Commission (NDC) and Dalit NGO Federation (DNF) at Hotel Orchid, Kathmandu on 20th December 2007. The objectives of the interaction programme were to share the experiences on Dalit issues, policies and programmes, activities being carried out at present and explore future possibilities for collaboration between DNF and NDC on common cause.

NDC and DNF officials meet for experiences sharing on Dalit issues at Hotel Orchid

Out of 17 members from NDC, fifteen members attended the programme. The programme was chaired by Mr.Tek Bdr. Raika, Acting President, DNF, and the session was facilitated by Mr. Bom Bdr. Bishwakarma, General Secretary, DNF. Mr. Ram Lal Bishwoakarma, President, NDC was the chief guest of the programme where other commissioners of NDC were guests. .Mr. Tirtha Biswhokarma, Executive Director of DNF and Mr. Ram Lal Bishwokarma, President of NDC both shared policies and programmes and mutual working experiences on Dalit issues. Sincere thanks were expressed by most of NDC members to DNF for organizing such instrumental programme. Also, it was expressed by the NDC members including President and Member Secretary that the programme was important and was the need of hour in the present context.

Mr. Tirtha Bishwokarma reiterated that DNF is now advocating on 14 common Dalit demands from its own agenda to be ensured by the state in the current changing context of the country. Likewise, Mr. Ram Lal Bishwokarama urged DNF to create pressures on the government and other stakeholders of the state to make National Dalit Commission autonomous. He also let DNF knew that the bill of National Dalit Commission has now reached in the law ministry of Nepal Government after various pressures created by newly formed NDC members. “The strong pressure from different stakeholders including thel Dalit civil society is now needed for the government to pass the bill of NDC” said the president of NDC. After briefing on programmes and policies from both sides, the floor was opened to discuss on the queries raised by participants of both sides. The major issues discussed in the programme were about unity of Dalit Movement, DNF’s role to support NDC for creating pressures to pass the bill of NDC, NDC’s role to monitor policies and programmes of GON. It was said by most of NDC members during the programme that DNF, as an umbrella organization of around 300 Dalit NGOs of Nepal, can mobilize Dalit critical mass from grass root to national level for ensuring Dalit Rights at the changing political context of the country. The participants of both sides had seriously raised the issues of Dalit women, Madeshi Dalits and other marginalized ones within Dalits for their inclusion and empowerment in the programme. Especially Women and Madeshi Dalit Representatives from both sides highlighted in stating that without their true representation within Dalit organizations and sister organizations it is difficult to unite Dalit Movement ahead. The queries of the participants in the programme have been addressed and clarified by Mr. Hom Khati, member from National Dalit Commission and Mr. Bom Bdr. Biswhokarma, General Secretary from Dalit NGO Federation. The consensus has been made between to NDC and DNF to form a committee from both sides for seeking possible collaboration to work on Dalit agenda in coming days. The programme was concluded by Mr. Tek Bdr. Raika, Acting President of DNF highlighting the need of joint collaboration on Dalit agenda between DNF and NDC in future.

NDC commissioners who attended the programme were Ram Lal Biswokarma (President), Janaki Baraha (Member Secretary), Bangali Hajra Paswasn (Member), Hom Khati (Member), Padam Bdr Snehi (Member), Dan Bdr Biswokarma (Member), Tek Bdr Sasanker (Member), Sewal Mahara Ram (Member), Shyam Bisunke (Member), Sujata Pariyar (Member), Durga Paswan (Member), Khadga Bdr Basyal (Member), Kaji Basnet (Member), Bikram Ram (Member) and Yam Bdr Kisan (Member), while thirteen members and staff of DNF attended the programme.

Source: DNF, Kathmandu, Nepal.