HoR meeting: MPs call for action on caste-based discrimination; raise key national issues

Kathmandu, May 19: Members of Parliament (MPs), speaking in today's meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR), have urged the government to take stern actions against caste-based discrimination, particularly targeting the Dalit community.

Speaking during the 'Emergency Hour' of the meeting, the MPs have also drawn attention of the government on a range of pressing national concerns including landlessness, inflation and development-related issues

Airing her voice, Nita Ghatani highlighted the discrimination faced by Dalits in various sphere of society, especially in securing rental housing. 

Ghatani cited a sit-in protest staged by Deepa Nepali at Maitighar Mandala in Kathmandu under the slogan 'Is there no room for us, government?', saying that protest reflected the harsh realities of caste-based exclusion in society.

"The issue is not merely about housing; it represents the longstanding discrimination, exclusion and marginalization imposed on the Dalit community for generations," Ghatani asserted.

 "It also raises a serious question about why equality and dignity for Dalits are still not fully guaranteed in the State," she languished.

Although the Constitution of Nepal guarantees equality, social justice, Dalit rights and declares the country free from untouchability, she lamented that the implementation in practice remains lax.

She went to share string on instances of caste-based discrimination and referred the case of Kiran BK, a postgraduate student who was allegedly evicted after his landlord came to learn about his caste, eventually forcing him to return to his home in Sudurpaschim Province.

She also mentioned the case of Niraj Bishwokarma who reportedly had to change rented rooms as many as 40 times due to being a Dalit. 

The parliamentarian noted that even educated members of the Dalit community continue to face such injustices in housing, education, employment and public life. 

Amid these incidences, she urged the government to adopt practical measures to eliminate caste-based discrimination. 

She also emphasized the need to protect human rights, noting that Dalit rights are recognized under the 1948's Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

During the same meeting, other lawmakers also raised various contemporary national concerns.

MP Bishnumaya BK shed light on the hardships faced by landless squatters living in holding centers and said that the concerns of landless people must be addressed seriously.

Demanding education for children staying in holding centres, she argued, "The government’s policy should focus not chasing away the poor but to eliminating poverty."

Another parliamentarian Shambhu Prasad Dhakal called for thorough investigations and strict action against those founds responsible for abetting suicides reported in different parts of the country. 

Likewise, Kshitij Thebe demanded that the government clarify its official position on the Pathibhara cable car project, saying that the issue had garnered national attention beyond Taplejung district.

"The government has verbally stated that the project work has been halted, but what is its official stance? Will the project move forward or be stopped?" he questioned.

Similarly, speaking in the 'Special Time' in the meeting of the House of Representatives today, lawmakers called attention of the government on various pressing public issues of the day.

Shreeram Neupane said that no development or construction is possible without energy and urged for the immediate enactment and implementation of the 'Sunset Act'.

Bhumika Subba stated that the President Women Empowerment Programme should not be left out from the government's policies and programmes for the upcoming fiscal year. 

Dhan Bahadur Budha demanded the government to make Dolpa digital and fully internet accessible.

Saraswati Lama said that the public is suffering from inflation and the government must bear social responsibility to make their lives easier.

KP Khanal praised the government for making efforts to remove squatters from the foul-smelling river area and provide them with a dignified and organised way of life. 

Prakash Chandra Pariyar expressed the view that not only prosperity but also equitable prosperity is necessary.

Taking special time on a party basis, MPs Anand Chand, Devraj Pathak, Yagya Bahadur Bogati, Ambika Devi Sangroula, Bishnu Bahadur Khadka, and Sulabh Kharel had also expressed their views. (RSS)