BIRATNAGAR: Musahar community in the district has demanded that the academic qualifications of chairman of the National Dalit Commission be revised. Arguing that they hardly have a university graduate in their community, they have demanded that the eligibility for the post be reviewed.

They also demanded that the age bar to receive social security allowance from the government be revised. They have argued that the average life expectancy in the community is 45 years. Chandeshwor Sada, chairman, National Musahar Development Society, said that they have presented their 42-point demand to the Constituent Assembly as the final draft of the statute is being prepared. He also claimed that the population of the Musahar living in 18 districts across the country was four times larger than the one showed by the government data.

According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, the population of the Musahar is 350,000. But Sada claimed that the actual number was nearly 1,250,000. Sada said that they have demanded for proportionate representation of Musahar in every state mechanism. He, however, lamented for not being represented in the CA.

He further said, "Though the government has formed six landless commissions, nothing has been done for the Musahars.” However, he expressed happiness that the society of Musahars has been formed.