Kaski, May 18 : Feminist Dalit Organisation (FEDO) has demanded the government establish a dedicated bench to deal with the cases of untouchability and caste-based discriminations in each court. More, it has drawn the government's attention towards a delay in constituting the 'untouchability surveillance centre' at each local level as announced by the government earlier.
The provincial conference of Dalit
women representatives and rights activists organised by FEDO in Pokhara on May
16-17 urged the government to promptly ensure the separate bench to look after
the cases of untouchability and caste-based discriminations in the court and
implement the announcement to set up the surveillance centre at each local
government.
The FEDO wants the State recognize
the untouchability and caste-based discriminations as 'a social crime against
humanity' with stringent legal actions against it, according to FEDO central
chair Kala Suwarnakar.
The event held with the theme of
'justice, equality and dignity' demanded the State ensure the just
representation of Dalit women in each State apparatus and in political
committees and in the election.
"Despite the proclamation
about elimination of untouchability time and again by the State, its de-facto
practices continue to cause injustice to the related communities, preventing
them to live with dignity," the event said.
The provincial conference also
sought that the bill relating to Dalit empowerment introduced during the term
of the then Chief Minister Krishna Chandra Nepali Pokhrel be concluded
soon.
The event urged the province
government to make the council of minister and thematic committees inclusive
and increase investment for the education, health and capacity enhancement of
Dalit women. In addition to this, it has called for the implementation of the
Dalit-responsive budget in the province and local level.
The event was attended by Dalit
women representatives and Dalit rights activities from 11 districts in the
Gandaki Province. (RSS)