Jun 02 (IPS) – CIVICUS discusses the challenges facing Nepal’s Dalit community with Rup Sunar, chairperson of the Dignity Initiative, a Kathmandu-based research and advocacy organisation working to dismantle caste-based discrimination.
Dalits – a community that has historically faced systemic exclusion under the discriminatory label of ‘untouchables’– constitute around 13.4 per cent of Nepal’s population. They continue to experience systemic marginalisation despite constitutional and legal protections. The Dignity Initiative addresses these entrenched inequalities through evidence-based research, strategic advocacy and policy engagement. By collecting disaggregated data, advocating for inclusive legislative frameworks and amplifying excluded voices, it seeks to dismantle caste-based discrimination and open up civic space for Dalits and other excluded groups.
What human rights challenges do Dalits face in Nepal?
Nepal’s constitution explicitly protects Dalit rights as fundamental rights. Article 40 guarantees proportional representation, free education and land and housing rights. The 2011 Caste-Based Discrimination and Untouchability Act prohibits any discrimination on the basis of caste in any public or private sphere. But this impressive legal framework has remained on paper. In practice, Dalits continue to face severe economic, legal and social barriers, with state institutions consistently failing to enforce constitutional and legal protections.
Consider a tragic case in West Rukum, where a young Dalit man who had eloped with a girl from a higher caste was lynched along with five friends. Despite parliamentary investigations confirming caste prejudice as the motivation, the Surkhet High Court dismissed caste as a factor, revealing the judiciary’s entrenched biases.
The economic statistics paint a stark picture: over 87 per cent of Dalits lack sufficient land for subsistence, 42 per cent live below the poverty line and a mere two per cent work in the public sector. With no jobs reserved for Dalits in the private sector and traditional occupations disappearing in today’s market economy, many Dalits remain trapped in modern forms of bonded labour.
Why haven’t anti-discrimination laws created real change?
The gap between legislation and reality is due to weak enforcement. This happens because the state structure excludes Dalits, who hold only token positions in government and law enforcement. For context, their representation in the ruling Communist Party’s central committee is below two per cent. This renders ‘proportional representation’ merely a hollow political catchphrase.
As a result, those in power have a deeply rooted caste bias and Dalit concerns are largely invisible in national policy. When violence occurs, perpetrators often enjoy political protection while victims struggle for justice.
Meaningful change requires the establishment of proper enforcement mechanisms. State institutions must face accountability for implementation failures. The National Dalit Commission needs appropriate funding and expansion across all of Nepal’s seven provinces, while the Caste-Based Discrimination and Untouchability Act requires amendments to ensure meaningful consequences for perpetrators.
To ensure justice, we need specialised Dalit units – in charge of reporting and investigating caste-based violence – in all police offices, fast-track court procedures, free legal aid and witness protection for victims. These cases demand the same urgency and determination as other serious crimes.
What policy reforms are needed?
While the constitution promises free education and scholarships for Dalits from primary through higher education, these provisions are not enforced. School discrimination continues unabated, with tragic consequences, as in the case of a Dalit boy who took his life after being unable to pay a mere US$1.50 exam fee.
Both practical and cultural changes are needed to address these inequities. Beyond acknowledging discrimination, we must transform how history is taught. School curricula must incorporate Dalit histories, struggles and contributions to Nepalese society, while eliminating derogatory narratives and symbols.
Representation matters profoundly. Policies such as ‘one school, one Dalit teacher’ must be vigorously enforced. The severe underrepresentation of Dalit educators, particularly at secondary and higher levels, denies students crucial role models. The state must prioritise recruiting and retaining Dalit teachers to create an inclusive educational environment.
Have you observed any evolution in public attitudes towards Dalits?
Despite persistent deep-rooted prejudice and continued denial of caste discrimination, some encouraging shifts are emerging, particularly among young urban people. Dalit voices have gained greater visibility in media, politics and public discourse.
This gradual transformation stems from educational progress, social media connectivity and persistent activism. Dalit-led groups and networks have been instrumental in raising awareness and applying pressure on government institutions. The most effective approaches have combined grassroots mobilisation, strategic legal action and targeted media campaigns. Social media has revolutionised advocacy by providing platforms to document and expose injustices in real time.
The Dignity Initiative contributes through activism, research, policy advocacy and leadership development. A study we conducted examined how political parties distributed tickets to Dalit candidates during the 2022 elections, uncovering systematic tokenism rather than genuine commitment to equitable representation. Our work challenges this form of political exclusion while building public awareness about the declining Dalit presence in decision-making.
How are Dalit women and young people seeking change?
A new generation of leadership is emerging. Over 6,000 Dalit women now serve as representatives at the local level and on municipal councils, using these positions to advocate for Dalit rights. Many are forging paths to upward mobility despite facing intersectional discrimination based on caste and gender.
Yet significant barriers persist. Political spaces remain firmly controlled by upper castes, with exclusionary practices still the norm. This was starkly illustrated by dismally low Dalit participation in recent student union elections.
The battleground has also shifted online, where caste-based hate speech proliferates. However, tech-savvy young Dalits are fighting back, employing digital tools to lead campaigns, document violence and demand state accountability. They’re also building strategic alliances with progressive groups and individuals.
International solidarity has proven crucial, with external pressure amplifying Dalit voices nationally and on the global stage.
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