Inclusive political parties prerequisite to inclusive state mechanism: NC President Deuba

Patan: Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba has said inclusion in political parties is a prerequisite to inclusive state mechanisms.

Addressing a function organised by NC’s Dalit Community Coordination and Empowerment Department on the occasion of the National Equity Day on Wednesday, NC President reminded that NC is the first party to raise a voice against the discrimination faced by the Dalit community.

In the programme titled ‘Present Status of Dalit Community and Role of Political Parties in Resolving Dalits’ Problems’, the President said the NC had launched an anti-discrimination campaign, sloganeering against the mistreatment of Dalit people.

“Let’s sit together, let’s eat together” was the slogan then during the 2007 BS revolution, Deuba recounted. He also said, ‘In the course of state building and rules, the working class has faced tribulation and exploitation of different sorts in each country.

Various practices perpetuated in the name of religion, customs and tradition for long in South Asia, especially in Nepal, have blighted the society. Caste discrimination and untouchability are ills.”

The parliament was restored after People’s Movement II had declared Nepal free of untouchability on Jestha 21, 2063 BS, which is a milestone in the sector of social transformation.

According to him, the present coalition government is at work to fully end the remnants of discrimination, and the Dalit community needs to make their voice louder.

At the event, Department Chief, Laxmi Pariyar, however, said many laws were awaited to fully enforce the untouchability. Writer and researcher JB Bishwokarma made a presentation stating that there is a 13.4 percent Dalit population in Nepal.

The Dalit community requires reservations in major areas in addition to access to politics, he stressed.

RSS