Kathmandu: Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba has emphasized that inclusivity within political parties is essential for fostering inclusive state mechanisms. He made these remarks while addressing a function organized by the NC’s Dalit Community Coordination and Empowerment Department on the occasion of National Equity Day.
According to National News Agency Nepal, President Deuba highlighted that the Nepali Congress (NC) has historically been at the forefront in advocating against the discrimination faced by the Dalit community. Speaking at the event titled “Present Status of Dalit Community and Role of Political Parties in Resolving Dalit’s Problems,” President Deuba recounted the party’s early efforts, including an anti-discrimination campaign launched during the 2007BS revolution with the slogan “Let’s sit together, let’s eat together.”
Deuba reflected on the challenges faced by the working class during state-building processes, noting that exploitation and discrimination persist in various forms across South Asia, particularly in Nepal. He condemned caste-based discrimination and untouchability as societal blights and recalled that the parliament, reinstated after the People’s Movement-II, declared Nepal free of untouchability on Jestha 21, 2063BS, marking a significant milestone in social transformation.
He further mentioned that the current coalition government is committed to eradicating any remaining forms of discrimination, urging the Dalit community to amplify their voices for change.
During the event, Department Chief Laxmi Pariyar pointed out that many laws still need to be enacted to fully implement provisions against untouchability. Additionally, writer and researcher JB Bishwokarma presented data indicating that Dalits constitute 13.4 percent of Nepal’s population and emphasized the need for reservations in key areas, as well as greater political access for the Dalit community.