KATHMANDU, Dec 22: Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Anup Raj Sharma has said that economic, social and cultural aspects of the Dalit community could not be strengthened until their political rights were ensured.

He also emphasized taking both their political and economic rights hand in hand for their overall development.

“All Dalit leaders representing various political parties should unite in favor of Dalit rights. Their rights cannot be established unless they hold high positions in the state,” he said while addressing a seminar on the theme of ‘Economic, social and cultural rights of Dalit community: Challenges and opportunities’ held in the capital on Friday. The program was organized by the Dalit Social Service Association.

Similarly, CPN (Maoist Center) leader Bishwo Bhakta Dulal said Dalit’s rights were being established, while another speaker Chakraman Bishwokarma, Chairperson of the Dalit Association, countered to Dulal’s view, saying that despite Dalits rights incorporated in the new constitution, they are yet to come into practice.

Referring to many Dalit people being victimized of discrimination, resulting in death in some cases, he expressed hope that a campaign against discrimination against the community could play a significant role in reducing the ill practice.

Maoist Centre leader Dulal, former Vice Chairman of the National Planning Commission Dr Yubaraj Khatiwada, Prof Dr Keshab Khadka presented different papers on economic, social and cultural rights of the Dalit community.

The two-day event has been attended by Dalit leaders and representatives from 35 districts across the country. RSS

BAJURA, June 25: We are living in the 21st century and racial discrimination of any kind cannot be imagined of, but not in some remote areas of the country.

A man belonging to the dalit community has been made to pay Rs 2,000 in fine allegedly for touching and thereby ‘polluting’ a cowshed.

The incident happened in Biradi village, Chhededaha Rural Municipality-1 of Bajura district on Friday in course of an election campaign.

Prem Bahadur BK, a person from the dalit community, who was with the election campaign team of CPN (UML) candidate Bir Bahadur Rawal at the village at the time, was chastised for ‘touching’ the roof of the cowshed of one Rajendra Bahadur Singh.

Singh not only scolded BK but demanded Rs 2,000 as fine from him for what he said polluting the cowshed and thereby angering the deities.

Rawal, who is contesting in the local level election for the post of Ward Chairman and who was canvassing votes at that time in the village, paid the fine for BK as the latter had no money. Rawal said he had to pay the fine for BK as they would not let him off without paying fine.

“I was passing by nearly 20 metres away from the roof of the cowshed. Singh scolded me charging me of touching the roof of the cowshed, saying the family deity would be enraged and has to be appeased.

BK has reported the atrocity on him to the District Dalit Development Forum. The Forum deplored the incident through a press release and has filed a complaint at the District Administration Office, Bajura.

Chief District Officer Devendra Lamichhane said an investigation has been ordered into the incident. RSS