Dalit is a community which has been politically excluded, economically deprived, and socio-
culturally discriminated and treated as "Untouchable." According to the National Dalit
Commission of Nepal, there are 26 different caste groups who have been excluded, discriminated
and considered untouchables in the Hindu society. The population of Dalit has scattered both in
Hill and Madhes. 60 percent Dalits live in Hill and 40 percent of them live in Madhes. The term
'Dalit' has become a common identity of different caste groups within Dalit.
The Dalit community has been struggling for more than 70 years to end all forms of caste based
discrimination and ensure their rights to live a dignified life. To this end, they have been fighting
for a host of issues such as guarantee of fundamental rights, proportional representation in the
decision making level of the state, rights against untouchability, rights to education, health, land,

housing, employment, etc. The key demand of the Dalit movement is to guarantee the just,
equitable society with the dignified life for everyone in the society.