Why the Dalit movement needs to talk about humiliation

In the Gurkha village of Dhampus, near Pokhara, the celebration of the Day for the Elimination of Untouchability and Caste Discrimination revealed a stark reality: the persistent exclusion and humiliation of Dalits. While economic opportunities in the Gulf and Malaysia have reduced traditional dependence on upper castes, and many Dalits have achieved upward social mobility through education and professions like medicine and engineering, caste still dictates social standing.

Despite Nepal's 2009 declaration of being free from untouchability, the practice continues. Dalits are often barred from entering homes and temples, must eat and drink separately during communal feasts, and are expected to wash their own dishes. Instances of discrimination, such as upper-caste Gurungs refusing rides from blacksmiths on pilgrimages, underscore the deep-seated nature of these practices.

This scenario is not unique to Dhampus but is typical across rural Nepal, where freedom from untouchability remains an elusive goal. The article contends that class does not trump caste; economic and educational advancements only make Dalit lives slightly more acceptable, but the core issue of caste discrimination persists. The failure of the state to effectively implement policies aimed at eradicating untouchability is identified as a primary reason for this ongoing struggle.