Veteran Artist Madan Krishna Shrestha Apologizes for Historical Caste-Based Discrimination

Kathmandu. Veteran artist Madan Krishna Shrestha has issued an apology on behalf of his family and ancestors for the untouchability and mistreatment faced by the Dalit community in the past. Inspired by the statement and apology made by Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chairman Rabi Lamichhane in Parliament, Shrestha offered his sincere apologies.

In a lengthy Facebook post, Shrestha stated that while he has never personally believed in the practice of untouchability, he apologized acknowledging that such derogatory behavior may have been committed by his ancestors. He emphasized that society would become more beautiful if all Nepalis collectively apologized and rose above this uncivilized, inhumane, and foolish practice.

He expressed his view that to remove such discriminatory thinking from people's minds, terms like 'Dalit' and 'untouchable' should be uprooted from the dictionary itself. He clarified that it is shameful and foolish to consider oneself superior by belittling another community.

Noting that the public feels a new era is beginning in the country, Shrestha remarked that the youth leadership expected in 2084 has arrived ahead of time. He described Rabi's speech in Parliament as an extremely mature and intellectual expression.

He mentioned that Rabi's statement—that old parties and leaders created history and now they will build the future—has sparked hope that the country is undergoing a transformation. He also expressed confidence that the RSP would work with restraint, without harboring feelings of impulse or revenge.

Shrestha called Rabi's act of apologizing in Parliament, while honoring the community that has suffered injustice and oppression for centuries, exemplary. He recalled that this step by Rabi was even praised in the Indian Parliament.

Recalling lines from the song 'Saya Hari Baja Eutai Taal' from the tele-serial '15 Gate' written by poet Durga Lal Shrestha, Shrestha conveyed the message that strong nationalism lies in ethnic unity. He stated that feeling pain when others are hurt is the true hallmark of nationalism.