The Himalayan Times
31 October2013
Sheer neglect
This is reference to the news report
“Dalits point to leaders’ ‘ill actions’ (THT, 30 Oct. Page 6) that was painful
to read and feel about as to how Dalits are looked upon and treated by the
political parties and the state. Bajura is one of the districts of Nepal where 35 % of the total population are
Dalit. They are the most marginalized communities in the country with almost no
easy access to education, health, employment and other state facilities. For them,
managing two square meals a day have been their primary concern. Neither the
government officials nor any one from any political parties have so far visited
their area.
The country is now in the grip of election
fever. Almost all the political parties have made their election manifestos
public with lot of promises. However, none of such promises made during the
previous elections were fulfilled. In this second CA election, most of the big political
parties seem to have ignored the candidacies of Dalit community in both direct
and proportional seats. It is the Constitutional Assembly election where the
representation of all the ethnic groups and eligible voters are a must.
Is not it the responsibility of government
and the Election Commission to reach out all the community for making each and
every eligible voter aware of the upcoming CA election and ensuring their
participation? Taking this Dalit population of Bajura district as an example,
it cannot be easily denied that there could be several other marginalized
communities who could have been accordingly ignored from participating in the
second CA election. Is it an indication of gross negligence on the part of both
the government and EC not to give priority to the poor and marginalized
communities to participate in the state affairs?
Rai Biren Bangdel
Maharajgunj, Kathmandu
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