Rastriya Swatantra Party Whip Parivar Highlights Disappointing Dalit Representation in State Power

Kathmandu. Ruling party Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Federal Parliamentary Party Whip Prakash Chandra Pariyar has said that the representation of the Dalit community in the state's permanent power and bureaucracy is still disappointing. Addressing a program on 'Current Status of Inclusivity and Future Direction' organized by the National Dalit Employees Society Nepal in the capital on Saturday, Whip Pariyar said so.

Citing statistics, he said, 'If the issue of reservation is 'muted' or reduced, the participation of our community in the permanent power and bureaucracy will not even reach one and a quarter percent. This is a very ironic picture at the policy-making level.' He commented that while the current system has moved the country forward by 100 years, it has pushed the Dalit community back by 500 years.

10 Years of Constitution: Inability to Enact Laws is Ironic

Pariyar mentioned that it is sad that the necessary laws interpreting fundamental rights have not been made even though 10 years are about to be completed since the promulgation of the constitution. 'The constitution stated that laws would be made within 10 years of writing fundamental rights. It is a great irony that the laws have not been made even after 10 years have passed,' he said.

Presenting himself as a practitioner of social justice and a representative of the Dalit community rather than a ruling party MP or leader, he emphasized that even those who come through meritocracy should strongly advocate for reservation.

Dalit Contribution to Revolution but Illusion of 'Minority' Identity

Discussing the blood shed and great sacrifices of the Dalit community in every political revolution and movement in Nepal, he remembered the heroes who sacrificed their lives in various movements starting from the 2007 revolution.

'The Dalit community has not remained silent in any revolution in Nepal. But, the narrative being created by branding this community as a minority today is wrong,' Pariyar said, 'We are not a minority; our agenda, representation, and proportional inclusivity have been forcibly made minority.'

Risk of Caste Insult to Dalit Employees

Speaking about the challenges faced by Dalit employees working in the administrative sector, Whip Pariyar complained that even a small lapse in performance leads to caste-based insults against the entire community.

'Dalit community employees do not just have the freedom to earn a job; they have to be highly vigilant. As soon as someone is accused of corruption, there are even games of insulting the entire community and framing them intentionally,' he said, urging vigilance.

He supported the demand of the hall that it is not enough for only one person from the Dalit community to become a PhD, CDO, or Secretary, and that there should be meaningful presence of the Dalit community in broad and leadership roles in every sector. Reflecting on whether the community's efforts are still insufficient, he pointed out the need to produce a large number of excellent lawyers, journalists, politicians, bureaucrats, and entrepreneurs.