KATHMANDU, May 24: Fourteen years have passed since Nepal enacted the Caste-Based Discrimination and Untouchability (Offence and Punishment) Act, 2011. Yet caste-based discrimination and untouchability remain rampant across the country.
Samata Foundation reports that at least 17 individuals from the Dalit community were killed over the past 14 years for actions such as touching communal water sources, using shared kitchens or marrying outside their caste. Many others have endured similar social exclusion.
According to the Foundation, perpetrators murdered Rajesh Nepali (Parbat), Rupmati Kumari Das (Morang), Nawaraj BK (Jajarkot), Manbire Sunar (Kalikot), Shivashankar Das (Saptari), Sete Damai (Dailekh), Jhuma BK (Taplejung), Sangita Pariyar (Tanahun), and Asmita Sarki (Jhapa) after the law came into force.
Even local representatives not spared of caste-based discrimina...
Laxmi Pariyar (Kavre), Ajit Mijar (Kavre), Shreya Sunar (Kaski), Mana Sarki (Kalikot), Ditiya Reshma Rasailee (Dhanusha), Maya BK (Kailali), Tikaram Nepali (Rukum) and Angira Pasi (Rupandehi) are also among those killed, said Dr Madan Pariyar, Chairperson of the Foundation.
The Act mandates courts to order offenders to pay up to NRs 200,000 in compensation to victims and condemns prison terms ranging from three months to three years, along with fines between Rs 50,000 and Rs 200,000. However, Pariyar said communities often settle such cases informally. He added that police frequently claim ignorance of the law, hesitate to register complaints, and courts often rule in favor of the perpetrators even when victims file cases for legal action. Several inter-caste couples and Dalit families have faced displacement as a result.
On May 24, 2011, Nepal's Legislature-Parliament unanimously passed the Act. Just months later, on September 30, 2011, a fatal incident highlighted the law's weak enforcement: relatives of Rajkumari Shahi attacked and killed Sete Damai-father of Santa Bahadur Damai-after Santa and Rajkumari entered a consensual inter-caste marriage in Dailekh district.
Pushuram Ramtel, a leader of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre), called on the state to implement the law with genuine commitment. "Nepal claims to practice a federal democratic republic and pursue social justice alongside economic development. Yet, 14 percent of the population, Dalits, continue to suffer systemic discrimination," he said.
Dalit rights activists have demanded that the government enforce the Act effectively and ensure practical measures to eradicate caste-based discrimination and untouchability in the country.
