Nepal has been transforming from a Hindu monarchy into a federal republic for just over a decade, even though it maintains its secular caste system.
Dalits are also known as untouchables, as they are discriminated against under this system and suffer from the restrictions they suffer from the state and society. In Nepal there are between 3.6 and 5 million people with this status, which means that they could comprise up to a fifth of the total population.
There are 3 subgroups of this caste: those who live in the hilly regions, the inhabitants of the mountains and the Madeshi Dalit del Terai, a lowland region in the south that extends into northern India. Within their community, many have legally changed their surname to make it appear to belong to a more privileged caste as a final attempt to alleviate the discrimination they face so often.
Caste-based discrimination within the Dalit community poses a major challenge in the fight against casteism. In Nepal the discrimination within this caste is so profound that it has a different social status.
Although the Nepalese constitution clearly states that caste discrimination is a punishable offense in the country, it is still profound between the Dalit and non-Dalit people, as well as within their own community.
Religious conversions are illegal in Nepal, but the numbers suggest that many consider it a risk worth taking. Religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Christianity and Bon are practiced here. For example, 65% of the Christian population comes from the Dalit community and this since they became aware of the injustices suffered by the oppressive Hindu caste system.
This growing conversion has sparked anxiety and anger among top caste policy makers and social media experts. In Nepal the main religions have the following percentages: Hindu 80%, Buddhists 15%, Muslims 3%, others 2%.
Dalits suffer from lack of development in their communities. They are also often denied access to religious sites and are expected to do humble jobs.
Many Hindus believe that higher caste people originated from the mouth, arms or thighs of God, while the Dalits from the feet. Their women are considered even worse and are often victims of human trafficking.
After the abolition of the monarchy, the Nepalese people had high hopes of political parties. The Constituent Assembly has repeatedly failed to enact the new constitution, which was eventually promulgated in 2015 causing violent protests.
The new Nepalese political system has created conditions of equality and equality which, however, have remained only on paper as the caste system is still deeply rooted in the culture of the country.
The Dalit problem cannot be solved overnight because its solution requires a combination of actions by their communities, the government and political parties.
Source: Notizie Geo Politiche
