‘7 Dalits killed, dozens faced stigma in a year’

At least seven Dalits were killed by people from the so-called upper castes while dozens others faced social stigma and discrimination in the past one year, an unpublished report of the National Dalit Commission (NDC) states.

The report, which is likely to be published next month, has shown the increasing number of cases involving caste-based discriminations despite relentless efforts of the government and non-governmental agencies. Over half a dozen women of the Dalit communities were raped while more than five dozen were misbehaved, according to the report. Such incidents registered at the commission are 58 percent more than the previous year. The report shows that victims had to face inhuman acts, such as mental and physical torture and abduction after inter-caste marriage.

Indicating the report’s findings, Dalit leaders and activists have urged the government to criminalise the caste-based discrimination as a crime against humanity in the new constitution. On August 18, nine Dalit organisations affiliated to major political parties had urged the authorities concerned to declare all forms of caste-based discrimination as crimes against humanity. In their 27-point demand submitted to the Constituent Assembly and various other stakeholders, Dalit leaders had called for separate programmes to eliminate the caste-based discrimination. Nepal was declared “untouchablitiy free nation” in 2006 but rights groups said there has been little improvement in the way so-called upper-caste people treat Dalits. They blame a range of reasons, including poor implementation of law, poverty and lack of education, for the rise in such incidents.

NDC chairman Man Bahadur Nepali said the government should discourage such practices through strong message of equality and justice. “Any sorts of discrimination among people would disturb harmony in the society. We can make our society civilized and peaceful through equality,” he said, adding that only educated citizens can discourage the forms of discrimination and injustice.

source:/the-kathmandu-post/ 2014-09-14