iv <strong>The</strong> <strong>Dalits</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Nepal</strong> <strong>and</strong> a <strong>New</strong> <strong>Constitution</strong>
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Dalits</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Nepal</strong> <strong>and</strong> a <strong>New</strong> <strong>Constitution</strong> v Preface <strong>and</strong> Acknowledgements <strong>The</strong> origin <strong>of</strong> this publication lies in the association <strong>of</strong> UNDP with major Dalit organisations, a number <strong>of</strong> whom approached UNDP in early 2007 for assistance in promoting awareness among their communities <strong>and</strong> in formulating, <strong>and</strong> disseminating, a Dalit agenda <strong>of</strong> appropriate constitutional reforms. In the ferment that followed the King’s stepping down in April 2006, little attention was paid to the oppression suffered by <strong>Dalits</strong> or their hopes <strong>and</strong> aspirations for better treatment under the new constitution, policies <strong>and</strong> laws. <strong>Dalits</strong> had pursued their agenda peacefully <strong>and</strong> democratically (unlike some other marginalised communities) but felt neglected by political parties, media, <strong>and</strong> donors—<strong>and</strong> wondered whether their case was not taken seriously precisely because they had not resorted to violence. UNDP readily agreed. One <strong>of</strong> our priorities from the beginning has been to work with the marginalised communities. We were also attracted to the proposal from the <strong>Dalits</strong> because <strong>of</strong> the emphasis on people’s sovereignty in inter-party agreements <strong>and</strong> the Interim <strong>Constitution</strong> (IC). <strong>The</strong> preamble <strong>of</strong> the IC described as one <strong>of</strong> its functions guaranteeing “the basic rights <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Nepal</strong>i people to frame a constitution themselves” <strong>and</strong> Article 63 says that the people will formulate a new constitution by themselves through the Constituent Assembly (CA). Like many others, we believe that it is only if all <strong>of</strong> <strong>Nepal</strong>’s communities participate in constitution making that a legitimate constitution that responds to <strong>Nepal</strong>’s diversity would be achieved. <strong>The</strong> basis <strong>of</strong> our association with the <strong>Dalits</strong> was that all principal Dalit organisations would have to form a partnership for the purposes <strong>of</strong> the project; factionalism within an ethnic community weakens it. Accordingly the Dalit organisations (see Appendix 8) formed a core committee to take major responsibility for the planning <strong>and</strong> implementation <strong>of</strong> the project <strong>and</strong> to liaise with UNDP. UNDP helped to raise money <strong>and</strong> identify resource persons, especially from outside <strong>Nepal</strong>. In view <strong>of</strong> the diversity among the <strong>Dalits</strong>, it was agreed to hold five regional conferences on Dalit issues, with largely but not exclusively Dalit participation. <strong>The</strong>se took place in Dadeldura, Dang, Dharan, Pokhara <strong>and</strong> Birgunj. Each <strong>of</strong> these conferences was attended by approximately 100 to 120 participants representing different districts in each region. <strong>The</strong> core committee was exclusively responsible for organising the conferences, deciding on the agenda <strong>and</strong> resource persons, with the UNDP <strong>of</strong>fering advice, leading some sessions, <strong>and</strong> providing logistical support. Each <strong>of</strong> these conferences developed a Declaration (which can be read as part <strong>of</strong> the bilingual publication by NNDSWO available on the UNDP <strong>Constitution</strong> Building website at www.undp.org.np/constitutionbuilding. Members <strong>of</strong> the Core Committee were Bhakta Biswakarma (NNDSWO), Durga Sob (FEDO), Tej Sunar (DNF), Gajadhar Sunar (DWO), Birendra BK (DNF <strong>Nepal</strong>), Jeevan Pariyar (LANCAU), Shambu Hajara Paswan (NDC), Amrit Biswakarma (JUP), Meen BK (HRCC), Desh Bahadur Sarki (LRPS), Hari G<strong>and</strong>harva (GKK) <strong>and</strong> Man Bahadur BK (SCUS). It was also agreed that after the regional conferences, a national conference on Dalit issues relating to the constitution would be convened jointly by the core committee <strong>and</strong> the UNDP. At the national conference, the recommendations <strong>of</strong> the regional conferences would be discussed. This meeting took place in Godavari from 13-14 December 2007. Over 300 persons, representing themselves or their organisations, participated. <strong>The</strong> regional conferences attracted national interest <strong>and</strong> gave representatives <strong>of</strong> <strong>Dalits</strong> all over the country to meet <strong>and</strong> discuss their participation in the constitution making process.