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The Dalit Initiation for New Nepal
The Dalit Initiation for New Nepal
Citizen Assembly: 16-17 June, 2007
Declaration paper
Nepal is heading towards great change. This progress is the outcome of the 10 years of revolution, and The 19 Day Uprising by people from all walks of life. Though Dalits participated actively in the uprising, they remain curtailed from accessing social, economic, political, administrative and other sectors. People amassed in the streets believing that their individual grievances would be addressed upon the change in the government. But unfortunately, both the interim constitution and twice amended Nepali Constitution are unable to address the agenda and issues of the Dalit community.
Dalits aren't proportionally represented at the state policy-making level. There is also no guarantee that the Dalit community will attain proportional representation in the Constitutional Assembly (CA) Election. Though New Nepal is expected to be a Federal government restructured to provide inclusion, the state is currently failing to address ethnic groups, Dalits, women, and Madhesis.
Great disappointment overcame the Dalit community when there were no leaders or political parties raising their voice of concern for Dalit issues and agendas. Radical Hindus, supporters of the Monarchy, as well as several international groups are surprised not to see the Dalit movement spearhead ahead. In short, this assembly was organized to forge a common agenda through discussion of individual issues, and to strategize for a unified Dalit movement..
The assembly was able to amass over 2000 Dalits from approximately 61 districts of Nepal. Discussions held on 17 different topics resulted in the following 15 points.
1. Issues relating to Nepal's Dalit community remain in the corner as the country faces a great change. Recent amendments in the constitution failed to meet the demands of the Dalit community giving Dalits only 6% participation in the Constituent Assembly (CA). It is strongly recommended that the constitution is amended once again.
2. There should be proportional representation of Dalits in every sector of the state. It should be guaranteed that 20% of representatives in the Constitution Assembly (CA) election are Dalits. This is a strong focus and commitment of this assembly.
3. This assembly urges the 8 political parties and Nepali government to provide a date for the CA elections. The monarchy should be abolished along with the declaration of the Federal government system from the parliament.
4. Dalits are currently unable to gain access to social, cultural and political sectors because they don't have access to natural resources. Dalits should be provided with a justifiable mass of land.
5. The major political parties have shown only surface level interest in Dalit empowerment. We aspire for their strong and reliable support for Dalits' liberation and upliftment.
6. The country is heading towards a federal system of government. We hope that Dalit's agendas and issues will be central to the forthcoming government.
7. Because of the global marketplace, Dalits are economically limited in terms of their professional expertise. Dalits are also curtailed from water resources, electricity and others. This assembly focuses strongly on economic protection for the Dalit community. A collective declaration should be presented to economic organizations, multinational companies etc.
8. Due to landlessness, Dalits are forced to migrate and work in dangerous areas. This is affecting their health status and causing social problems. This assembly urges that proper health and livelihood facilities be provided to Dalits.
9. Land related exploitation systems such as the Haliya, Kamaiya, Balighare, Khali, Harawa-Charawa ( Bonded Labor systems often associated with the agricultural sector) systems should be abolished as soon as possible.
10. The interim constitution has provided women with 33% representation in government, but there is currently no specified inclusion for Dalit women. The new constitution should include measures which address the social, economic, political, and cultural hindrances that Dalit women suffer. The government should seek to provide special policies and programs for the restoration of Badi women.
11. There should be special policies to include Dalits in the state and private media. This assembly urges for this representation.
12. Organizational bodies in Nepal currently only provide representation for segments of the Dalit community. Dalits in their entirety (including all sub-castes) should be provided with opportunities within governmental, private and non-governmental organizations.
13. A new Dalit commission named "The Constitutional Dalit Rights Commission" should be established along with the amendment in the interim constitution.
14. Untouchability and discrimination should be condemned as a serious social crime, and the culprits should be punished severely within the new constitution.
15. Dalit students should be given scholarships with free education till higher education level.
These conclusions will be presented to the Eight Political Parties along with the Interim Government. In accordance with this presentation, the assembly is committed to the urgent implementation of the Dalit agenda. This will be forged through publicity, mobilizing support, and pressuring political and governmental bodies through sit-ins, and other actions as needed.
Conclusion
We hope that the Eight Political Parties and Interim Government will address the points of this agenda for the overall benefit of Nepal. This assembly has established The Dalit Citizen Movement Central Coordination Committee for spreading this message. The committee will be responsible for announcing future programs on citizen assemblies and peoples' mobilization around the country.
Dalit Citizen Movement Central Coordination Committee
Binod Pahadi-Coordinator
Shyam Pariyar
Motilal Nepali
Laxmi Pariyar
Suvash ku. Darnal
Sarada Bishwakarma
Nirmal Badi
D.B. Shankar
Binod Bishankhe
Yukti lal Marik
Bhola Paswan
Durga Bdr. Darji
Ganesh B.K.