Execute the past deal
The Himalayan Times
17
June 2015
Execute the past deal
It was really sad to know that Badi
community of Badi settlement of Balchaur of Kailali municipality is living in dire
situation as reported “Neglected Badi community in a lurch” (THT, 15 June, Page
5). The government had singed an agreement with them about 7 years ago after
continuously staging protest for 48 days in Kathmandu to get their demands addressed. There are
about 900 people from 200 households living together in temporary shelters.
Most of the male members of this community
go to India for jobs leaving behind women to look
after their families. I was really saddened to know that the women walk 14
kilometres everyday to nearby Chisapani bazaar to grind stones in order to earn
their livelihood in spite of the availability of vehicles. Traditionally, Badi
women used to be commercial sex workers in and around Nepalgunj bazaar to earn a
living. To break this tradition, they had demanded the government for meeting
their basic needs and were assured by the government about this accordingly.
Nothing has been happened since then singing of the deal.
Most of them do not have citizenship. As a
result, they were not allowed to fill up forms of the Squatters’ Problems
Solving Commission and are deprived of an opportunity of getting state’s
facilities. The Majority of the Badi children suffer from acute malnutrition.
Nonetheless, it was satisfying to know that some NGOs are implementing some
programmes for this community in the field of education, health and drinking
water schemes. When the government fulfill its promises made to the Badi
community? It remains to be seen in the days to come.
Rai Biren Bangdel
Maharajgunj
