Various measures for emancipation of Dalits in Nepal

-Khadga K.C; B.K.Parajuli and Dhruba K.C

Economic deprivation is a crippling disability of the people of the low castes. They live in abject poverty subject to malnutrition, high infant mortality rate, low life expectancy, indebtedness, and low literacy rates. Their economy is below the subsistence level and lags far behind the marginal economy.

The rehabilitation and empowerment measures should be adopted through formal, informal, legal/official and other channels. In order to acquire strength against discrimination, the affected people need to revive their group life by organizing themselves. As against the implicit goals of securing a place of honor in the pluralistic multicultural society, some explicit goals, which t ò ò ò ò í ò ò ò ò ò ò ò ò ò ò æãæÜæã ÙÜ ÙThe rehabiliTThe rehabilitation and empowerment measures should be adopted through formal, informal, legal/official and other channels. In order to acquire strength against discrimination, the affected people need to revive their group life by organizing themselves. As against the imThe rehabilitation aThe rehabilitation and empowerment measures should be adopted through formal, informal, legal/official and other channels. In order to acquire strength against discrimination, the affected people need to revive their groEconomic security: A radical change in the economic status of the disadvantaged people should be brought about ensuring them equitable distribution of national wealth through subsidies in business, industry, higher salaries for employees of those communities etc. Sincere implementation of land reform laws, allocation of more funds for the development of their geographical regions, provision for more employment opportunities in skilled and higher jobs, provision of adequate housing and more effective implementation of poverty alleviation programs.

Political equality: Universal suffrage and representation in the legislature to ensure equality as guaranteed by the constitution of Kingdom of Nepal 1990. But, for that, specific measures need to be framed and implemented so that a certain numbers of seats are allocated for the people of backward or disadvantaged groups/castes.

Dalits have been demanding reservations in different sectors, such as; education, civil service, political appointments, national representation and in similar other areas. Their demand seems reasonable in view of the previous state of suppression they have had to live. The equality that has been granted by the Constitution will remain meaningless unless it is supported by effective measures of resolution. Furthermore, the constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal states that for the protection and development of this community, the government can enact special legal provisions. Therefore, the government needs to initiate action accordingly.

Recommendations: In evolving a strategy the constant interplay between the economic, political, familial and educational processes as well as the attitudes of the individuals and of the entire society must be kept continually in mind. The potential measures that can be adopted for the emancipation of this disadvantaged strata of population can be done through three ways;

1) Community level Measures,

2) Government Measures and

3) Civil Society Measures,

To be adopted by the concerned community to promote their own development. The concerned community needs to promote development through the self-help method by organizing the community. Organizations need to be formed from the local level to the national level.

Organization: the local level institutions / organizations should help to organize these people in order to restore their rights. Unification will help resolve the contradictions between the suppressed and the oppressors. But democratic characters need to be infused in the organization methods.

Structure: The community organizations should have strong commitment to their community rather than their own personal interest. In other words, the leaders should be disciplined. Moreover, the organizations need to be properly structured with their own steering, supporting, planning, policy, cultural and direct- action wings. A proper structuring can help them challenge the oppressors through co-ordination of their own policies and programs.

Policy Input: Social arrangements are necessary for regular society-wide discussion among like-minded thinkers for the ideological and organizational strengthening of the Dalit movement. They can thus ultimately establish themselves as a viable political force capable of uplifting the Dalits /disadvantaged population of the country on their own.

Awareness and Advocacy: Community organization of disadvantaged population can promote consciousness among them. Organization helps initiate teaching learning strategies, discussions within and outside the community organizations. Criticism, persuasion and education would help them in their struggle against the existing inequality.

Development Programs: The Dalits need to be encouraged, inspired and involved in developmental projects for the promotion of their job opportunities by the local community. Low- cost income generating training programmes for the women population of Dalits can be initiated at the community level. Community organizations can conduct programs like environmental reform, health and sanitation programs, literacy drives etc. Women need to be particularly involved.

Dalit community organizations should continue their fight against the uncivilized system of untouchability. Public temples, taps, milk purchasing center etc. will have to be pressured through programs to accept these people.

In connection with the state level measures towards the emancipation of the disadvantaged people, the following policies and programs should be framed and implemented.

Legal Remedies: The government needs to frame and effectively implement the laws concerned with the eradication of caste and racial discrimination. Ordinances may be necessary to end some discriminatory practices.

Enabling Policies and programs: Policies formulated at the government level need to take into account their impact on the status of the disadvantaged people of Nepal. Enabling programs like providing adequate scholarships for the educational development of dalit communities are necessary. Priority to qualified candidates of Dalit castes in filling job vacancies could be another way to enable them.

Development Programs: Special programs for the upliftment of particular Dalit group may be necessary. The literacy rate and the level of education need to be raised among all the Dalits. Institutional, human resource development, health and sanitation, training and capacity- building, social and economic development and other development programs should also be launched with the co- ordination of local level institutions (VDC &DDC..An attempt should be made to distribute water to all the members of communities equitably. This is in regard to banning of dalits from using public water sources in many communities of the rural areas. If conflict arises appropriate measures, which ensures the rights of Dalits, should be taken.

Campaigns: Publicity campaigns to condemn untouchability as a social discrimination, anti humanitarian and inhumane need to be carried out to mobilized the Nepalese society against discrimination through government media. Education of laws among Dalits would help them understand their rights better. This can be done through appropriate government agencies.

Representation: political participation of the Dalits community in the administrative and political bodies at the national and local level should be parliament, DDCs and VDCs. Special focus should be given to the women to participate in these elections and to have their presence in various political parties. They should be empowered in such a way that they an bargain for their rights and economic prosperity.

Support to Traditional Economy: since each Dalits caste specialized in one art/ craft or the other, adequate training should be given to them in their own traditional area of activities through the modern method by way of providing them training, credit and marketing facilities. Also research of their traditional knowledge would open up a vast area of study for scholars from all around thus helping the national economy in the process.

But to activate both the community and the government to do some thing to empower the disadvantaged the seeds must be sown by some one. It is here that the civil society can play an important role. Civil society is the realm of organized social life, that is open, voluntary, self generating, autonomous from the state, and bound by a legal order or set of shared rules. "It shares ideas to exchange information, to achieve collective goals, to make demands on the state, to improve the structure and functioning of the state, and to hold officials accountable.

Civil society organizations can pressure the government and encourage the communities concerned to work in tandem to eradicate the social problems of untouchability. The disadvantaged position of the Dalits can be slowly alleviated through a concerted effort from all sides. Since government legislation or social action is not enough, civil society organizations can bring all the sectors together under one umbrella to work for the upliftment of the Dalits.

The Civil society can educate and encourage the dalits/oppressed people to develop a habit of saving. Help from the concerned NGOs and INGOs in this regard needs to be utilized in such a manner that the dalits are not pushed into dependency in the name of liberating them. The organizations in dalit issues have to chart a careful course here. If these organizations can effectively direct donor assistance to the efforts being made by local community organizations themselves more effective programs would result. Training and skill develte and encourage the dalits/oppressed people to develop a habit of saving. Help from the concerned NGOs and INGOs in this regard needs to be utilized in such a manner that the dalits are not pushed into dependency in the name of liberating them. The organizations in dalit issues have to chart a careful course here. If these organizations can effectively direct donor assistance to the efforts being made by local community organizations themselves more effective programs would result. Training and skill develte and encourage the dalits/oppressed

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