By Matters India Reporter
Kathmandu, June 5, 2026: Nepal has observed the National Day for the Elimination of Caste Discrimination and Untouchability, renewing calls for justice and equality for Dalit communities.
The commemoration carried the slogan, “Effective mobilisation of state structures for access to justice for the Dalit community.”
The day marks the anniversary of Nepal’s declaration on June 4, 2006, as a nation free of caste discrimination and untouchability. Events across the country, as reported by local media, highlighted the ongoing struggle to translate constitutional guarantees into lived realities.
Minister for Women, Children, Gender and Sexual Minorities, and Social Security, Sita Badi, told a gathering in Lalitpur that caste-based untouchability remains “an obstacle to a democratic and advanced society.”
Speaking at a program organized by the National Dalit Commission, she praised the Dalit community’s role in Nepal’s democratic movements. “I want to honor the contribution of the Dalit community in every change in Nepal,” she said, pledging closer cooperation between her ministry and the commission.
Vice President Ramsahay Prasad Yadav, in a message to the nation, emphasized that “a discrimination-free society is the foundation for a prosperous Nepal.”
He noted that while the constitution criminalizes caste discrimination and untouchability, legal provisions alone are insufficient. “Social awareness, cultural transformation, education and proactive role of citizens are equally imperative,” he said, urging vigilance to ensure equality and dignity for all.
National Dalit Commission Chairman Devraj Bishwakarma said an egalitarian society can only be achieved through “intensive discussions and dialogue on issues of discrimination.” He stressed the state’s responsibility to act as guardian for vulnerable groups with limited economic means. Commission member Mehaley Parki added that recommendations made by the commission must be implemented to achieve meaningful change.
Attorney General Dr. Narayan Datta Kandel called for joint efforts by government, commission, and civil society to raise awareness. “All state mechanisms should pay attention to aspects of human respect, dignity, and self-respect,” he said.
Superintendent of Police Gautam Mishra of Lalitpur pledged that police will remain active in ensuring access to justice for Dalits. “The police organization will continuously remain active to ensure access to justice for the Dalit community,” he said.
The day is observed annually on Jestha 21 of the Nepali calendar to commemorate the 2006 parliamentary declaration. Leaders and activists reiterated that beyond symbolic observance, sustained action is needed to dismantle entrenched caste hierarchies and secure equal opportunity for all citizens.
(Image courtesy of nepalipatro.com.np)