Caste based discrimination and untouchability based on Hundu Barnashram system has been expanded into the international level with rapid international migration. For example, migration of Indians into the European and other countries, where there was no caste discrimination, has expanded the untouchability onto those territories. The Hinduism based cultural ideologies have been transferred into these countries with the migration of Hindus. We have heard the immigrant from Nepal and India in America, Australia and Europe are discriminating against Dalits, own countrymen. The most remorseful thing is so called educated people over these countries are practicing untouchability.
That is why the caste based discrimination and untouchability is not only the problem of Nepal, India, Bangladesh and other south Asian countries but it has become the international issue. England was compelled to introduce the law against caste based discrimination and untouchability with the expansion of Hindu all over the world. England has formulated a law against the discrimination over Dalits on April 23, 2013. This is first time, the country out of Indian sub-continent made such law. This law is going to ensure the rights of 4 hundred thousand Dalits in England. The law was passed by the House of Lords after the continuous pressure of Dalit Solidarity Network, Voice of Dalit and International Anti Cast Discrimination Alliance. Prior to this the HoL denied including the rights of Dalits in “rights of equality” section which guarantee the education of Hindu community in England. This example hints that the issue of Dalit and untouchability is not only the issue of South Asia but a global one. That is why the international intervention is needed to solve this issue.
Discrimination of untouchability, the exercise against humanity, was started in Indian Land. Chairperson of Indian constituent assembly, Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar initiated an effective campaign against this inhumane exercise. But, we cannot find the collaborative efforts of south Asian countries to resolve the problems of Dalits. Likewise, there is the lack of effective workout in political level. The problem was originated with the feudal mentality to establish the domination of definite community over state, power and property. This is a crime against humanity initiated for enjoying the political power. But, there are no collaborative efforts among the south Asian countries to solve this political problem.
The population of Dalits in India has exceeded 20 Koror which is 16.6% of the total population. The discrimination against such a huge population is still in severe stete in India. Since the origin of the caste discrimination is India itself, Dalit emancipation is impossible unless the untouchability in India is eliminated. The situation of Dalit in India is constantly miserable since the system is always against Dalits though few leaders like Mayadevi and KR Narayan reached in the summit of political career.
Mahatma Gandhi launched the hunger strike against Poona Pact which was for the inclusion of Dalit. The issue of inclusion could not get momentum due to Gandhi’s strike which forced to omit the provision of separate election constituency for Dalit assured in Poona pact. Due to this act of Gandhi against inclusion of Dalits, Indian Dalits still hate Gandhi.
Though the constitution of India after independence tried to address the problems of Dalit, the political role of Dalits has been weakening due to the lack of system of empowering Dalits with government and political parties. No political parties except Bahujan Parti raise the issues of Dalit rather they use Dalits as vote bank. But in Nepal almost all the political parties are compelled to realize the fact that until and unless the issues of Dalits are addressed, we cannot go ahead. People’s War of Maoists has to be credited for empowering Dalits and making them able for raising the voices for rights. Big parties like Nepali Congress and CPN UML have also formed the Dalit sister organizations. The issue of special rights to Dalits as a compensation of long run suppression has been established in Nepal. The constitution of Nepal has recognized the identity of Dalit. This is lacking in India. Dalit issue has not still been established as political issue in Bangladesh too. In comparison, Dalit movement in Nepal is more successful in establishing it as a political issue and compelling political parties to take the issue more sensitively. The Dalits in 6 hundred and 50 thousand villages of India are still in the state of prohibition of economic activities. It is the shame that the larger population of the nation which is termed as the emerging economic power of the world are still fighting with scarcity and hunger.
Except political and economic problem, the cruelest form of discrimination against Dalits is the act of untouchability. The brutal incidents are happening also in India due to untouchability. We have reading the news that Dalits are murdered only because they touched the water. Dalits nose are cut only because they ride motorcycle in front of non Dalits. State is ineffective though the laws against untouchability are made both in Nepal and India. The laws are not implemented because of the lack of attention of political parties and the lack of representation of Dalits in law implementing agencies.
The international movement is raised in intellectual, literature and social sectors. Politically, Dalit issue is getting more importance in political sectors in Nepal comparing to India. The movement from the grassroots level is lacking in India though we can find the effetive Dalits interventions in intellectual arena and literature. That intellectual intervention has not become successful to influence political parties except from the Bahujan Party. That is why the collaborative effort among International Dalit leaders is necessary to initiate the international movement for the emancipation of Dalits. This can be the effective step to intervene the political sector.
We can see few efforts from the level of civil society organization internationally. Especially, Dalits movements in India and Nepal are having the solidarity to each other via human rights organizations, literature and experience exchange programs. The human rights organizations are collaboratively pressurizing the governments to implement the international treaties for guaranting the rights of Dalits. Advocacy and lobby with United Nations and European Union is going on through shadow reports and the demand of separate international convention for Dalits. The movement and campaign have to be more systematic and collective in coming days.
The issue of Dalit has not been remained as the issue of definite territory and only of Dalit in recent days. This has become the issue of whole human rights community. It is also internationally recognized political, socio-cultural and economic issue. That is why the international movements are needed to eliminate this discrimination. Along with that, the international strategic collaboration and partnership of Dalit political organizations for establishment of Dalit rights is needed.
Participation of Dalits from the bottom of society in movement for getting rights can be ensured internationally. In India the attention of political parties can be drown into the Dalit issues if strong relationship between intellectuals and grass root level Dalits is established. It is important due to the fact the the Dalits in orther countries can be free from discrimination only if the large population of Dalits in India are emancipated. Likewise, the strategies and planned movement is needed in collaboration of human rights and Dalit citizens’ movements which are active in international level. This will help to establish the international Dalit movement rather than definite country. The effective international movement is essential to create the environment where everyone can enjoy the equal rights and live the life with dignity.
Biswokarma is writer and researcher. His “Dalit in Nepali Media: Participation and Contents” has already published and written policy papers, book chapters, journal articles. His dozens of articles on Dalit Rights, Inclusion, State Restructuring, electoral system, land reform, social diversity and media etc. have published in magazines and national dailies.
