FACTS ABOUT DALITS OF NEPAL

Who are Dalits?

The third largest community of Nepal deprived of social justice for centuries who were termed untouchables by the state itself until 1963 are Dalits of Nepal. The problems related to Dalits are prevalent in all South Asian countries including Nepal, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. The following caste groups have been identified as Dalits.

 

Hill Dalits

  1. Gandarva (Gaine)
  2. Pariyar (Damai, Darji, Suchikar, Nagarchi, Dholi, Hoodke)
  3. Badi
  4. Bishwakarma (Kami, Lohar, Sunar, Wod, Chunara, Parki, Tamata)
  5. Sarki (Mijar, Charmakar, Bhool)

Madhesi Dalits

  1. Kalar
  2. Kakaihiya
  3. Kori
  4. Khatik
  5. Khatbe (Mandal, Khanka)
  6. Chamar (Ram, Mochee, Harijan, Rabidas)
  7. Chidimar (Marik)
  8. Tatma (Tanti, Das)
  9. Dushadh (Paswan, Hajara)
  10. Dhobi   (Hindu Rajak)
  11. Pattharkatta
  12. Pasi
  13. Bantar
  14. Mushar
  15. Mestar (Halkhor)
  16. Sarvanga (Sarbaraiya)
  17. Dom (Marik)

 

General Situation

S. No.

Subject

National Average

Dalit

1

Population

2.3 Million

13% Claim 20%

2

Life Expectancy

59 years

50.8 years

3

Mortality under 5

104.8

171.2

4

Infant Mortality

75.2

116.5

5

Fertility

4

4.7

6

Use of Contraceptives

44%

28 %

7

Literacy above 6 years

54%

33.8 %

8

SLC and above

17.6%

3.8

9

Bachelor and above

3.4%

0.4%

S. No.

Subject

National Average

Dalit

10

Poverty

31%

47 %

11

Average Income

Rs. 20689

Rs 13340

12

Landlessness

 

44% Terai Dalit 15% Hill Dalit

13

Legislatures

329

18 (5.47%)

14

Empowerment and Inclusion Index

0.4

0.3

 

 

State Response

The government of Nepal has created two structures Dalit Development Committee and National Dalit Commission to oversee the development and rights issues. Both agencies received nearly 40 million out of 140 billion rupees. The government has also been emphasising on the education and providing scholarships. All these measurers are insufficient to address the immense problems that Dalits are facing.

 

Donors Response

Lately the attention of major donors such as UN Agencies, World Bank, DFID, DANNIDA, NORAD have been drawn to the issues and problems of Dalits. The US government is supporting through Save the Children US. The support of the donors constitutes a very small portion of a pie of their total aid to Nepal.

 

Political Parties Response

Out of eight major and ruling political parties 6 have separate Dalit sister organizations. They have not been strong enough to represent and advocate the issue within the party and the government.

 

Civil Society Response

Dalits are working to, by and for themselves and it has not been the major agenda for most of the civil society organizations including Human Rights other than the organizations formed by Dalit themselves. Largely we are left to fight for our cause ourselves.

Dalit NGO Federation (DNF) is the largest network of Dalit organizations having presence in 59 districts out of 75 with a membership of 288 organizations. It advocates both at the national and international level through networking and alliance building with Dalit and pro-Dalit organizations. It also sets agenda of Dalits and takes upto the appropriate level to influence government and non-government sectors.

 

North American Society of Oppressed Community (NASO Community) have been formed by Dalits living in North America and Dalit NGO Federation has strong alliance with it.