Kathmandu, September 11

Dalit Civil Society today demanded that the rights of Dalit community  ensured by the previous Constituent Assembly be ensured in the new constitution.

Addressing a press meet in Lalitpur today, Chairperson of Dalit Civil Society and Samata Foundation Padam Sundas demanded three, five and 10 per cent representation of Dalits in federal, provincial and local legislative bodies.

Sundas expressed concern over the failure of the second CA to incorporate the rights of Dalits and women that were ensured by the first CA. He said principle of compensation and proportional representation for Dalits should also be ensured in the new constitution.

He further said the words “by making laws” in the fundamental rights section of the new constitution should be amended. He also demanded allocation of electoral constituencies for Dalit and women. “The National Dalit Commission should be made more powerful,” he said.