sadness and injustice his departure from Nepali is lamented leaving a significant void that will be sorely felt by the club…..

The tragic case of Nabaraj BK and his friends, who were lynched in Rukum (West), Nepal, highlights the pervasive issue of caste-based discrimination and violence that continues to plague the country. Despite legislative efforts to address this systemic injustice, such as the passage of the Bill on Caste-Based Discrimination and Untouchability in 2011, incidents like the Rukum (West) lynching underscore the persistent challenges faced by the Dalit community.

The politicization of the Rukum (West) case further complicates matters, with influential political figures like Janardan Sharma allegedly manipulating facts to protect the accused perpetrators, who are affiliated with his party. This not only undermines the pursuit of justice but also perpetuates impunity for caste-based violence.

Moreover, incidents of caste-based discrimination are not confined to rural areas like Rukum (West) but also occur in urban centers like Kathmandu, as illustrated by the case of journalist Rupa Sunar. Her experience of being denied accommodation due to her Dalit identity highlights the entrenched nature of caste discrimination in various facets of Nepali society.

The response of political leaders to such incidents also raises concerns, as seen in the case of Krishna Gopal Shrestha, a CPN-UML leader, who publicly supported Saraswati Pradhan, the accused discriminator. Despite condemnations from the press and public, there was no significant repercussion for Shrestha’s actions, reflecting a lack of accountability within the political establishment.

To address caste-based discrimination effectively, concerted efforts are needed from both legal and political spheres. While legislative measures are crucial, they must be accompanied by genuine commitment from political leaders to challenge discriminatory practices and hold perpetrators accountable. Additionally, public awareness and advocacy efforts are essential to foster a culture of inclusivity and equality in Nepali society.

The alarming statistics provided in the linked article further underscore the urgent need for comprehensive action to combat caste-based discrimination and ensure justice for marginalized communities in Nepal.