Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal has expressed regret over the country’s failure to uproot ‘untouchability’ . In a message issued on the occasion of Untouchability Free Day Thursday, PM Nepal said, “The Nepali society is in the threshold of progressive changes. (But) we still haven’t been able to rid ourselves from injustice, atrocities, discrimination and inhumane treatment. Among them the practice of untouchability remain as the most burning problem.”

KATHMANDU, June 4- Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal has expressed regret over the country’s failure to uproot ‘untouchability’ and other kinds of discriminations that exists in the society despite all its efforts.

In a message issued on the occasion of Untouchability Free Day Thursday, PM Nepal said, “The Nepali society is in the threshold of progressive changes. (But) we still haven’t been able to rid ourselves from injustice, atrocities, discrimination and inhumane treatment. Among them the practice of untouchability remain as the most burning problem.”

Stating that the day holds special significance as the reinstated House had on this day three years ago declared the country ‘free of untouchability’, he said, “The event not only allowed the Dalit community, but the entire Nepalis people to hold their heads high.”

“But it is unfortunate that we haven’t been able to implement this declaration in practice,” Nepal said, and insisted that untouchability should be viewed as a punishable offence.

“It is the responsibility of the state to bring those involved in these kind of practices into the purview of law,” he said, adding that apart from introducing stricter laws to root out untouchability, social awareness programs and political campaigns should also be initiated to get the desired results.

“The state is committed to do whatever needs to be done for the upliftment of the Dalit community,” he said.

He also informed that the government will make necessary preparations to celebrate Jestha 21 as ‘Dalit Rights Day’ every year so that it will act as an inspiration to rid the Nepali society of discrimination, oppression and untouchability.

Although there is no accurate data on the population of Dalits in the country, but it is estimated that there are close to 4 million Dalits in the country of about 27 million.

Most Dalits live in impoverished parts of the country and have very poor financial condition. They also don’t have easy access to education and basic health.

As they occupy the lowest strata of the Nepali society, they are looked down upon by many and are subject to oppression and inhumane treatment. (Source: www.nepalnews.com June 04 09)

The Nepaldalitinfo adds:

PM Madhav Nepal’s assertion of the country’s failure to uproot ‘untouchability’ and other kinds of discriminations that exist in the society despite all its efforts is not an accurate reflection of the reality. The reality is simply that there has not been much efforts made on the part of the state to uproot caste discrimination and untouchability. However, the PM’s declaration that it is the responsibility of the state to bring those involved in these kind of practices into the purview of law is a positive statement which should be the basis to scale up the state’s efforts towards more aggressive action on the ground.

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