The Dalits of Nepal and a New Constitution - ConstitutionNet

52
The Dalits of Nepal and
a New Constitution
Dalit Student Deprived of
Education
SAPTARI DISTRICT, 10 May 2008- Though there is the
provision of free education to Dalit student up to the
secondary level, the Dalit students of Nanda Uma
Secondary School, Odraha VDC-2 have been told to attend
their class only after bringing Rs. 250 as the new
admission fee. Since then, the Dalit students are tilling
lands at the nearby district- Udaypur, for generating
money.
The District Education Office sends Rs 500 for each Dalit
student from grade 6-10. When our correspondent asked
the school administration, they denied to respond.
Khusilal Paswan, Manju Kumari Paswan, and Durgi
Paswan of grade 6, 8, and 9 respectively, and dozens of
others have left going to the school because of the same
reason. Manju Paswan who passed the exam of grade
five, quit going to the school when her mother was
unable to provide her the admission fee.
”It’s hard to feed them, how am I supposed to pay for
their schooling?”, Saguni Paswan, father of Hari Narayan
Paswan, one of the victim student, responded. Saguni
wants his children to complete up to the S.L.C level.
Khusilal’s father Bokailal knew about the free education
for the Dalit students, but none spoke for them when
the problem arose. His attempts turned void when the
teachers paid no heed to his voice.
Maoists Thrash Dalits for Using
Local Well
SAPTARI- 4 November 2007- Maoist cadres attacked and
severely beat up five Dalits in Malahun of Saptari for
drinking water from a local well on Friday evening. The
victims were Devnath Ram, Saini Ram, Sunar Ram, Charu
Ram, and a woman who is still not identified.
Shivram Chaudhary led the group of 6-7 Maoists that
conducted these attacks. The injured were taken to the
hospital at Lahan by the police officials. A hospital source
informed that the condition of Saini Ram is getting worse.
”Drinking water from a local tube-well isn’t a crime; where
is our mistake?”, comments Devnath, one of the victims.
A Dalit Child Beaten for Touching
Water
BAJURA, FAR WESTERN REGION. Bhuwan Sarki, a nineyear–old
child of Dhanjit Sarki was allegedly beaten by
Non dalit Padam Karki, aged 25. Bhuwan’s family is the
resident of Badhu Village Development Committee-9,
Bajura and belongs to the Dalit community.
Padam reasoned that he thrashed the boy because the
latter touched his water filled from the local water tap.
The local water tap is entitled for everyone, Dalits as
well as Non dalits. But Dalits should be at the last of the
row to fetch up water.
”My little son was beaten merely for being a Dalit, even
the villagers are supporting the perpetrator”, lamented
the child’s father.
They haven’t filed a case at the local police office as
they believe that it will turn more traumatic to them
afterwards.
Dalits and particularly Dalit
Women Discriminated against in
Wages
PANCHTHAR DISTRICT. Mr. Nar Bahadur Siwa and his wife
Chandramaya Siwa, Dalits and residents of Chokmagu
VDC-9, are agricultural workers. Both of them do the same
sort of works, but they are paid less than their non Dalit
co-workers. Rangalal Khanal, a non Dalit agricultural worker
as well gets more wage than Dalits.
As Dalits of the place are really poor, they can hardly
manage their hand to mouth problem, for which their
little scale of land is unable to provide. So, they have to
depend on laboring on others land.
Mrs. Siwa said that her husband gets Rs.50 if paid in
cash and 4kg if paid in grains, and she gets Rs. 30 if paid