Lack of parents’ citizenship keeps Musahar children out of school

By Laxmi Chaudhary,Janakpurdham, Sept. 7: Bijay Sada, a 25-year-old resident of Ward No. 7 of Janakpurdham Sub-Metropolitan City, has changed the school of his son two times in two years as his son does not have a date of birth (DOB) certificate. Sada, who is still waiting for his citizenship certificate, said that the ward office did not provide the DOB certificate citing that his father had no citizenship.

“My eldest son Ritesh is now six years old. I admitted him to Ramjanaki Primary School last year. This year, I had to admit him to Rastriya Basic School, which is four kilometres away, because the school did not seek Ritesh’s DOB certificate for now,” said Sada.

Sada said that the new school had, however, demanded the DOB certificate even though it took some time.

Sada also questioned the legitimacy of the new amendment in the Citizenship Act endorsed by the President some months ago. “They said that we would get citizenship after the amendment. Then why haven’t I got one yet?” asked Sada.

Recalling the struggles faced in Nepal for lack of citizenship despite several generations of his family growing up in the same area, Sada stressed, “I got no proper service because of the lack of my citizenship. I think my son is going to face the same fate. I feel sorry for not being able to ensure a bright future for him.”

“Moreover, I have two other children – a younger son and a daughter. My wife also has no citizenship. Our family did not even receive the vaccination against COVID-19 due to this,” said Bijay.

The family was also not listed when the Guthi Sansthan provided land for families from the Musahar community two years ago. “I am currently living in my wife’s maternal home,” said Bijay.

According to Bijay, his father died when he was six years old and a government team somehow made his mother’s citizenship certificate. “My mother also died six years ago, but her death certificate has not been made to date,” he added.

When Bijay reaches the ward office for a citizenship inquiry, the ward chairman suggests he visit the district administration office, asking him why he didn’t make his mother’s death certificate all these past years. 

“Bijay’s problem can only be solved by the district administration office, not by ward office, so he has been suggested the same,” said Niraj Kumar Sah, ward chairman of Ward No. 7 of Janakpur.

Bijay said he planned to go abroad if failed to get his citizenship certificate soon. “I had heard that citizenship was not required to make a DOB certificate of a child. However, it seems to be false.” 

There are 14 houses in the community where Bijay lives. Only the children of two families, including Bijay’s, go to school. The families of indigenous and marginalised communities, including Musahar community, are being deprived of basic rights due to lack of citizenship.