KATHMANDU: On the occasion of the National Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and Untouchability, both the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Devaraj Ghimire, and the Chairperson of the National Assembly, Narayan Prasad Dahal, have issued strong messages stressing the urgent need to eradicate caste-based discrimination and untouchability from Nepali society.
Speaker Ghimire underscored the importance of collective action, urging all citizens, the government, political parties, civil society organizations, journalists, educational institutions, and other stakeholders to unite in the campaign against caste discrimination.
He stressed the need to strengthen the spirit of social harmony, equality, and coexistence. Ghimire stated that caste discrimination and untouchability are not merely issues affecting a specific group, but rather a shared challenge for the entire society, nation, and human civilization.
He highlighted the necessity for everyone to advocate for equality from their respective positions to contribute to building a prosperous nation founded on equal principles.
Similarly, National Assembly Chairperson Dahal expressed his view that all state structures, political leaders, civil society, and the general public must initiate efforts to eliminate caste discrimination and untouchability.
He described these practices as a “social stigma in the history of humankind.” Dahal acknowledged that numerous historical struggles, people’s movements, and social and cultural movements in Nepal have led to many legal provisions to abolish these discriminatory practices.
However, he noted that “traditional mindsets, illiteracy, customs, and discrimination in the name of religion have not been completely eradicated from society.”
He concluded by expressing his wish that the National Day for the Elimination of Caste Discrimination and Untouchability would inspire everyone to build a civilized, advanced, and prosperous nation free from all forms of discrimination and untouchability.
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