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Started 1 week ago · Updated 1 week ago

MPs Urge Government Action on Caste Discrimination and Other National Issues in House of Representatives

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Members of Parliament (MPs) in Nepal's House of Representatives have called for stern government action against caste-based discrimination, particularly affecting the Dalit community, and highlighted other pressing national concerns including landlessness and inflation. MP Nita Ghatani asserted that the discrimination faced by Dalits, especially in securing rental housing, reflects generations of exclusion and raises questions about guaranteed equality and dignity.

• MPs criticized the government's anti-poverty policy, describing it as driving away the poor rather than eradicating poverty, and expressed concerns about 'bulldozer terror' against marginalized citizens.
• Specific instances of caste-based discrimination were cited, including a postgraduate student allegedly evicted due to his caste and individuals repeatedly forced to change rented rooms.
• The parliamentarians noted that despite constitutional guarantees of equality and freedom from untouchability, the practical implementation of Dalit rights remains lax.
• Other national issues raised included increasing suicide incidents, with MPs demanding thorough investigations and justice for victims.
• A Rastriya Swatantra Party MP demanded government action to achieve zero drug use within five years, citing the Narcotics Control Bureau's estimate of over 150,000 drug users.