KANCHANPUR: Although the government provides social security allowances to endangered and minority castes, the Sunaha community—an ethnic minority—continues to be excluded due to a lack of official recognition of their caste identity.
Chandrakala Sunaha of Bhimdatta Municipality–12 in Kanchanpur says that her community has been unable to access education and other basic services meant for minority groups. “We’ve been deprived of the support we deserve from the state,” she said.
Traditionally gold panners, the Sunaha have shifted to sifting gravel and sand in the Mahakali River after their ancestral profession disappeared. “It’s been years since we’ve panned for gold,” said one local. “Now we extract gravel and sand for six months in winter and work as laborers during the rainy season.”
He added that the lack of official caste recognition has blocked their access to state benefits. “We’ve made repeated requests, but since our caste isn’t listed, we are left out of the minority programs.”
Meghadevi Sunaha noted that the community, mainly settled in Bardiya and Kanchanpur, has long been appealing to the government for official recognition. “Politicians promise caste identity during elections, but they forget us afterward,” she said.
Currently, there are 84 Sunaha families in Bhimdatta Municipality and around 1,100 members of the community in Bardiya.
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