Federal Parliament Committed to Eradicating Caste Discrimination, Says Speaker Aryal

Kathmandu. Speaker of the House of Representatives Dol Prasad Aryal has said that the Federal Parliament is fully committed to eradicating caste discrimination and untouchability.

He said this while addressing a program organized by the National Dalit Commission in Lalitpur on Thursday on the occasion of the National Day for Eradication of Caste Discrimination and Untouchability. He also said that the parliament is aware of the problems, pains, and challenges that the Dalit community has been facing for a long time and expressed confidence that the parliament will work seriously to solve these problems. He stated that Nepali society cannot be truly just and egalitarian until the honor, security, equal opportunities, and justice of the Dalit community are ensured. He clarified that the end of caste discrimination is not only the responsibility of the government or any one body but a shared responsibility of the state, political parties, civil society, the media, and all Nepalis. He emphasized that social awareness, legal implementation, and economic empowerment should be advanced as the three main pillars for the eradication of discrimination. He argued that it is difficult to bring about complete change with social awareness alone until the Dalit community is economically empowered. Reminding that Article 40 of the Constitution of Nepal has ensured the rights of the Dalit community as fundamental rights, Speaker Aryal said that translating the constitutional provisions into practice is the key to real change. He said, 'As the Speaker of the House of Representatives, I want to clearly state on behalf of the Federal Parliament that we are fully aware of the problems, pains, and challenges faced by the Dalit community. Realizing the seriousness of these problems, the parliament is committed to solving them. We have a clear commitment to ensure the honor, security, equal opportunities, and justice of our Dalit community. Without this assurance, Nepali society cannot be truly just and egalitarian. The end of caste discrimination and untouchability is not just the responsibility of the government, commission, or any one body. It is the shared responsibility of the state, political parties, civil society, the media, educational institutions, and the entire Nepali society.' Speaker Aryal expressed his commitment to positively advance every meaningful proposal presented in the parliament for the construction and amendment of necessary laws for the mainstreaming, empowerment, and equal participation of the Dalit community. He said that the parliament will play an active role in protecting Dalit rights by harmonizing with national laws for the effective implementation of international conventions and commitments related to human rights.