Nepali Congress leader and lawmaker Pradeep Giri has said that a separate electoral constituency is needed for dalits in Nepal.

Giri said so while addressing the symposium entitled "The present reality and direction of dalit movement", which was organized by Dalit Sarokar Munch Nepal, Kanchanrup-8 Saptari and Dalit Janakalyan Youth Club Lahan to mark the birth anniversary of Ambedkar, Salhes and Dinabhadri on April 12, 2019. He said that he had raised this demand before those who were drafting the constitution in the Constituent Assembly.

Stating that opportunities are given only at the behest of powerful leaders, he said that no concrete steps were taken for dalits. He argued that there should be a system of electing lawmakers through a competition only among the dalits by the votes of dalits that comprise 14 to 15 percent of the total population of the country.

"In that case, 40 to 45 lawmakers can be elected from dalit communities in the federal parliament that will different than getting the positions at the behest of leaders," said Giri. "That makes the lawmakers loyal to the dalit communities and that will create an environment to work for dalits."

He said that the success of political and class-based struggle alone wouldn't bring socialism and that end of caste-based system was necessary. He also stressed that dalit communities need to take necessary steps to end practices of untouchable within different dalit communities so as to end caste-based discrimination effectively.

He said that there are many errors in the Constitution of Nepal and that so many new laws were needed to implement various provisions related to dalits in the new constitution. He also informed that some laws are on the process of drafting that are against dalit rights.

There will be no substantive change in the existing situation unless dalit leaders have to appease top leaders like Oli, Prachanda, Deuba or some Madheshi leaders such as Upendra, Mahantha and Rajendra to get the posts instead of getting elected to the posts with popular votes of the public.

Salhes had reached to the leadership winning the people's trust by working in the field of security, peace and work in larger interest of the public but now a tendency of "getting blessings of powerful leaders" has become more important to get certain posts.

During the program, Giri recalled what Dr Ambedkar had asked the then leadership during the independence movement of India. He said, "During the independence, Ambedkar openly raised a question as to what would the independence bring for dalits. It seems, it brings nothing. We have to continue the issue of ending caste-based discrimination together with the demands of political, economic and educational rights."

Based on Ambedkar's proposal, separate electoral constituencies were designated and delineated for dalit rights in India. Despite deep-rooted social discrimination, Ambedkar obtained higher education with excellent scores. It was due to his outstanding academic performance that he was recognized by the country's top leadership and entrusted with the responsibility of writing the constitution of India. He was highly regarded as an advocate of dalit rights. Stating that dalits were united as per Ambedkar's proposal for unity, Giri underscored on the need of dalits in Nepal being unified under one similar cause. He suggested all the dalits to provide good education for their children even by minimizing expenses for other purposes.

Giri said that dalits need to study more because an educated person can overcome challenging situations amicably. He said that dalit rights can't be obtained just by worshipping renowned people like Salhesh, Dinabhadri, Motiram, Bauwa Budheshwar. They were also people like us. He said that dalit rights can be obtained by following their footsteps.

He was of the view that writing a constitution in itself isn't a big achievement but to improve and implement it in favor of the people.

He reiterated, if dalit's empowerment and dignity are to be ensured, separate electoral constituencies should be delineated so that they can win elections.

Dalit activist Ramprit Pasman and former lawmaker Asarphi Sada shared their views on 'Salhes, Dinabhadri and Ambedkar and Reality and Direction of Dalit Rights'. Dalit Sarokar Munch Director Bhola Paswan shed light on the present reality of dalits. Dalit Janakalyan Youth Club Lahan Director Binod Bisunke chaired the program and Dalit activist Mohan Paswan moderated the program.