Dalit man fined for 'polluting' cowshed

Bajura - We are living in the 21st century and racial discrimination of any kind cannot be imagined of, but not in some remote areas of the country. 
A man belonging to the dalit community has been made to pay Rs 2,000 in fine allegedly for touching and thereby 'polluting' a cowshed. 

The incident happened in Biradi village, Chhededaha Rural Municipality-1 of Bajura district on Friday in course of an election campaign. 

Prem Bahadur BK, a person from the dalit community, who was with the election campaign team of CPN (UML) candidate Bir Bahadur Rawal at the village at the time, was chastised for 'touching' the roof of the cowshed of one Rajendra Bahadur Singh. 

Singh not only scolded BK but demanded Rs 2,000 as fine from him for what he said polluting the cowshed and thereby angering the deities. 

Rawal, who is contesting in the local level election for the post of Ward Chairman and who was canvassing votes at that time in the village, paid the fine for BK as the latter had no money. Rawal said he had to pay the fine for BK as they would not let him off without paying fine. 

"I was passing by nearly 20 metres away from the roof of the cowshed. Singh scolded me charging me of touching the roof of the cowshed, saying the family deity would be enraged and has to be appeased. 

BK has reported the atrocity on him to the District Dalit Development Forum. The Forum deplored the incident through a press release and has filed a complaint at the District Administration Office, Bajura. 

Chief District Officer Devendra Lamichhane said an investigation has been ordered into the incident.