National Campaign for Dalit-Friendly Election Launched in Kathmandu

Kathmandu: The National Campaign for Dalit-Friendly Election has been launched with the aim of putting pressure to make the upcoming elections Dalit-friendly by keeping the Dalit community at the center. 

The campaign was formally announced through a press conference organized in the capital with the participation of the Dalit NGO Federation Nepal (DNGNF), various Dalit civil societies, organizations, activists, journalists, and intellectuals.

The campaign has announced that it will run a movement against political parties, leaders, and candidates who ignore Dalit issues, while appealing to voters not to vote for candidates who practice caste-based discrimination. 

Speaking at the press conference, JB Biswakarma, Chairperson of the Dalit NGO Federation Nepal, expressed grievance that despite nearly a decade since the promulgation of the constitution, the laws and acts formulated in favor of Dalits have not been effectively implemented.

"Dalit rights are clearly mentioned in the constitution, and it was said that laws would be made, but even after 10 years, they haven't been implemented," he said. "Now, elections should not be taken as a simple process of power transfer but as an opportunity for the socio-economic transformation of the Dalit community."

According to him, the campaign is conducting programs across the country and through digital platforms. He informed that suggestions and memorandums covering Dalit issues have already been submitted to nine political parties, and there is a plan to provide suggestions regarding the demands of the Dalit community to candidates in all 165 constituencies.

"We are not of the opinion that all Dalits must be voted for," Biswakarma said. "This is a campaign to vote only for those candidates who raise Dalit issues, do not discriminate, and stand for justice. Candidates who deliberately practice caste-based discrimination will be boycotted."

Along with the press conference, a press release with 17-point demands has been issued on behalf of the National Campaign for Dalit-Friendly Election. The statement draws the serious attention of all political parties, the Government of Nepal, the Election Commission, and civil society to make the upcoming election Dalit-friendly.

The campaign has clarified that it will ensure a minimum of 14 percent Dalit representation in both direct and proportional systems, ensure the mandatory inclusion of Dalit issues in political party manifestos, and run a 'No Vote' campaign by boycotting parties, leaders, and candidates who discriminate. It is mentioned that the election will be considered Dalit-friendly only if the manifesto is implemented after the election.

The statement calls for legal reforms to prevent the misuse of the proportional election system and to ensure access for marginalized groups by ending the capture of the system by influential, wealthy, and elite classes. Furthermore, it stated that the extremely low number of Dalit candidates in direct elections is a serious violation of the constitution.

Demands also include ensuring proportional representation in all state organs, including civil service, security agencies, and diplomatic and constitutional bodies; implementing a fully proportional election system; or reserving electoral constituencies for women and Dalits.

Similarly, demands have been made for the implementation of Dalit-friendly provisions of the constitution, the formulation of an Integrated Dalit Development Act, a national strategy to end caste discrimination and untouchability, legal provisions for stricter punishment, and incentives for untouchability-free municipalities.

For the socio-economic transformation of the Dalit community, the campaign has demanded budget allocation in proportion to the population, making the National Dalit Commission autonomous and empowered, implementing Supreme Court orders, and adhering to international conventions and commitments.

The statement also mentions demands to include Dalit issues in the constitution amendment process, for the state to apologize and provide compensation for historical discrimination, and to ensure the identity and representation of Dalit women, children, Dalits with disabilities, Madhesi Dalits, Badi, Gandarbha, and gender and sexual minority communities.

Additionally, the campaign emphasized Dalit youth issues, ending discrimination on digital platforms, the abolition of the varna and caste system, special policies for Dalit communities affected by climate change and disasters, and the protection and promotion of Dalit civic space.

The campaign warned that an organized boycott will be carried out against candidates and parties that ignore Dalit issues and encourage discrimination. During the press conference, Sushil BK, Vice-Chairperson of the Dalit NGO Federation; Bhakta Biswakarma, General Secretary of the Asia Dalit Rights Forum; and Kamala Hemchuri, Chairperson of the Professional Development and Research Center, among others, shared their views.