KATHMANDU, JANUARY 8
The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday issued a show cause notice seeking a written response in a writ petition demanding the provision of reservation quotas for the Nishad caste.
A single bench of Justice Til Prasad Shrestha directed the concerned authorities to submit a written clarification-supported by valid reasons, grounds, and available evidence-within 15 days through the Office of the Attorney General.
Khajanti Mahato Naniya, representing the Nepal Nishad Ekata Samaj, had filed the petition on January 2, naming the Federal Parliament, the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, and several other government entities as respondents.
The Court stated that a written response was required, as the matter raised in the petition is of a nature that must be addressed through parliamentary procedures.
The Nishad community comprises various subgroups, including Nuniya, Bin, Malah, Kewat, Kewarat, Turaha, Amat, Kol/Kaul, Khara, Khulwat/Khunot, Gangai, Godh/Godhi, Chaya/Chayav/Chai, Chauhan, Tiyar, Dhimar/Dhiwar, Bahardar, Beldar, Bot, Rajbhar, Sorhiya/Soraiya, Banpar, Gaudh, Bote, and Modiyar/Moriyari.
The petitioner has demanded that members of the Nishad community be guaranteed reservation quotas in civil service, semi-government agencies, the Nepali Army, Nepal Police, and other state institutions.
Predominantly residing in the Tarai/Madhes districts, the community primarily depends on fishing, boating, and farming for livelihood. The Nishad community is also highly vulnerable to floods and landslides, as many of their settlements are located along riverbanks.
According to a report published by the Madheshi Commission, the population of the Nishad community exceeds 814,000.