Allegation of Being Deprived From Rituals Due To Caste-based Discrimination

  August 28, 2020 By: INSEC

The right against untouchability and discrimination is mentioned in Article 24 under the Part III Fundamental Rights and Duties of the Constitution of Nepal 2072 BS. Article 1 states that no person shall be subjected to any form of untouchability or discrimination in any private or public place on the basis of his or her origin, caste, creed, community, profession, occupation or physical condition.

But, Rajendra Budha Chhetri, 34, and his wife Phulmaya Bishwakarma, 36, of Sablakhu in Sidinga rural municipality-4 have been deprived of attending their father’s funeral due to caste discrimination. According to Rajendra Budha Chhetri, after the death of his 78-year-old father and his father-in-law on August 2, their family members deprived them of participation in the funeral rites.

The victim Rajendra has lodged a complaint against four persons at the District Police Office on August 26 alleging that they were not allowed to attend the funeral of since he is married to Bishwakarma’s daughter.

DSP Mahendra Shrestha told INSEC representatives that Rajendra had lodged a complaint against his brothers Ram Bahadur Budha Chhetri, 72, Buddhi Prasad Budha Chhetri, 51, Khadka Budhathoki, 53, and Prem Budha Chhetri, 46, of Sunsari Itahari Municipality-7 on the charge of caste based discrimination and untouchability.

According to the sister-in-law of the victim he had married a Dalit girl in 2003 BS, his family accepted him and never discriminated against him.

Chhatra Bishwakarma, the chairperson of the Dalit Rights Forum Taplejung, said that the constitution prohibits caste-based discrimination and no one should be oppressed on the basis of caste and creed.

Jiwan Tamling, vice-chairperson of the rural municipality in Sidinga, said that the victims were not allowed to perform rituals as per the rites.


Dev Raj Gurung