PALPA, June 7: The incidents of caste discrimination and untouchability are continued unabated in the rural areas in the district. Conservative thoughts and superstitions are behind such incidents.
Although the Constitution of Nepal 2015 has finely mentioned that no one would be discriminated against based on their caste, Dalits here have expressed worry that the offerings they made at a temple were rejected because of their so-called lower caste.
Puja and prayers are conducted every Saturday and Sunday at Shiva Temple which was reconstructed with the assistance from all communities.
A local Sita BK said the Dalits were not allowed to make offerings at the temple in the name of caste status. It is sheer discrimination against Dalit people, she added. The offerings of milk and 'haluwa' were not allowed inside the temple.
Rolpa village declared free from caste-based discrimination
The priest at the temple provided tika without touching Dalit devotees.
Even the non-Dalit people had urged the priest to not mete out discrimination.
However, priest Chhabilal Panthi defied the allegation. He had not discriminated against the Dalit people at the temple, he claimed.
Mankala Sunar shared that both Dalit and non-Dalit people had contributed to the reconstruction of the temple. “Why the discrimination against Dalits then?” she asks.
Sunar also accused the priest of refusing to give flowers and prasad to Dalits at the temple.
Social activists had asked the priest to ensure equal treatment to both Dalit and non-Dalit visitors.
Another local Sunil Nepal has demanded legal action against those violating the rights of Dalits.
(RSS)
