Kathmandu, March 19:

The third national conference of the Nepal Independent Dalit Students’ Organisation (NIDSO) has decided to fight against the “so-called” nationalist education system imposed by the government.

“The conference has demanded that the government withdraw its decision to impose nationalist education which is based on Hindu extremism,” said Padam Biswokarma, the newly elected vice-president of the Dalit students’ organisation.

Major demands of the NIDSO include end of commercialisation and privatisation of education and end of all forms of discrimination. The Dalit body also demanded the government declare Nepal a secular state. Biswokarma said the Dalit students’ body believes that the constitutionality of monarchy ended with the King’s takeover. After a long debate, the conference finally elected a 21-member new executive committee under the leadership of Lokesh Biswokarma today.

The committee has Padam Biswokarma as vice-president, Balu Nepali general secretary, Deepak Biswokarma secretary and Sita Mijar the treasurer.

The newly elected members include Shambhu BK, Rajesh Nepali, Kopila B K, Santosh BK, Ram Nepali, Bharat Dayal, Jhapindra Gaire, Deepak Soni, Lalit Pariyar, Kiran Paswan, Kamal Pariyar, Deepa Bardewa, Kalawati Bhat, Jamuna Pariyar and Krishna BK.