KATHMANDU: The National Dalit Commission has said that the prolonged delay in finalising the list of surnames for the Dalit community is primarily due to an entrenched caste-based mindset within Singha Durbar and the decision-making level of the state.
The Commission said it has already made seven formal recommendations to the government, yet the surname listing process has not been completed.
Speaking at an interaction programme organised by the Active Dalit Journalists Association Nepal, Commission Chairperson Devaraj Bishwakarma said the process has been affected due to discomfort within state institutions over the inclusion of some surnames belonging to non-Dalit communities in the list.
He, however, said the process is now moving forward positively and expressed hope that the current government will take a decision soon.
Commission Secretary Jhank Kumar Khatri said the Commission has been continuously prioritising the surname listing work since 2020. He said the Commission had submitted seven formal recommendations to the government as of mid-June this year.
He added that the responsibility, initially under the Ministry of General Administration, has now been transferred to the Ministry of Women, Children, Senior Citizens and Social Security, expressing confidence that a decision would now be taken soon.
Most complaints resolved
Commission Chairperson Bishwakarma said that out of 62 complaints received by the Commission, most have already been resolved. He said the Commission cannot comment on cases under judicial review but issues statements when necessary and draws the attention of concerned authorities in other cases.
He added that the Commission considers complaints not only in written form but also those received via telephone, social media, and media reports. An online complaint registration system is already in place, while a mobile app-based complaint system is under development.
11 Dalit deaths reported this year
Bishwakarma said that 11 people from the Dalit community have died in various incidents during the current fiscal year, adding that the Commission is closely monitoring these cases.
He also noted complaints that many Dalit individuals in custody have been falsely implicated in cases and said efforts are underway to amend related laws.
He claimed that incidents of caste-based discrimination have decreased by around 50 percent since the establishment of the Commission, adding that it remains necessary until discrimination is fully eliminated.
Constitutional reform suggestions
Commission member Mehal Parki said detailed recommendations regarding Dalit rights have already been submitted to the government for constitutional amendments, adding that implementation would further strengthen constitutional guarantees for the community.
He also said the Commission coordinated with police from the beginning in the Dipika Nepali satyagraha case, which is currently under judicial process.
Field monitoring in Dalit settlements
Commission member Mina Sow said officials recently conducted field monitoring visits to various Dalit settlements and expressed commitment to completing the surname listing process within the current tenure.
Speakers at the programme said the Commission continues to play an active role in coordination and pressure-building with the government on issues of Dalit rights, access to justice, and elimination of caste-based discrimination.
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