The caste system and the inequalities and injustice created by the caste system are certainly not exclusive to a single community. Hence, there is no alternative for meaningful participation

Climate change and biodiversity are rightly on the top of the agenda in terms of key concerns felt and experienced by young people in Nepal. Yet there is another agenda that should worry and preoccupy young people: caste discrimination. The goal of creating a truly inclusive nation where every citizen has equal opportunities and a real shot at thriving in the society should be a top priority.

Without an inclusive nation where every citizen can contribute to national development, including finding the appropriate mitigating and adaptive strategies to fend off climate warming, hardly Nepal as a whole can emerge from being a least developing nation. That's why I do believe that it's essential to enable a conversation, both locally but also nationally, about caste discrimination.

This is what Dalit Lives Matter Global Alliance, a national Nepal-based not-for-profit with a global outreach, is trying to do. The organisation came up with the idea of organising a TV talk programme "Caste Conversation". Directed by activist Shanta Nepali, the show will consist of 12 episodes features youth from diverse communities, genders, languages, faiths and physical conditions from all the seven provinces. The initiative is a brainchild of Pradip Pariyar, its founder and executive director.

There will be 84 youths from all the societal spectrum, who will engage in an in-depth conversation on something so sensitive and oftentimes "inconvenient" as racism and discrimination towards the Dalit community. One of the most powerful aspects of "Caste Conversation" is the fact that 80 per cent of participants will come from non-Dalit communities. This is paramount because the only way to get rid of caste discrimination for good is to tackle the issue head-on.

"The Dalit Lives Matter" movement is an emerging global movement to end caste-based violence, discrimination and exclusion. On May 23, 2020, Nawaraj BK and his five friends were brutally murdered in Rukum West while attempting an inter-caste marriage. The massacre laid the foundation of Dalit Lives Matter, and now, it stands fearless against all forms of discrimination and violence," explains an official press release issued by the organisation.

To know more about the initiative, I met with Pariyar. "I recall fond memories of my youth. I had energy reserve that never depleted, such passion and enthusiasm that I, with support from my peers, were every day working to create a better life for the youth all the while working with youth," he said.

"We were ready for a protest, we were more than ready to meet, greet and debate with those in power and authority on burning issues of youth, and we were always ready to be able to extend support to needy youth and make Nepal more equitable and inclusive."

"But caste discrimination still persists. Today, Nabaraj BK and his friends are continuously on my mind. Till when should young people give their life for caste supremacy? When will casteism end? Why do we live with caste divides?" Pariyar told me.

These questions look like requiring complex answers, but actually we all know the response to these challenges is pretty simple and very straightforward. And yes, a conversation led by youths on caste discrimination is long due.

"We need to go deeper about discrimination towards Dalits. I oftentimes hear youths saying that they do not embody any discriminatory attitudes and yet they end up accepting that in their homes, there are still family members who have deepened and entrenched biases against Dalits.

"I would like to call on our youth and invite them to partner with Dalit Lives Matter Global Alliance to create a society that is inclusive, egalitarian and full of opportunities for people of all castes, genders, faiths, physical capacity to prosper and progress together – away from all divides and distrust," Pariyar said.

Such open arm invitation can truly shift the narrative about caste racism. It could become a giant steppingstone towards a complete eradication of discrimination towards Dalits and other marginalised groups living in Nepal.

"The exclusionary caste system is real. Caste-based discrimination is real. Dalit and their lived reality, indigenous people and their struggles, LGBTQI+ and their defiance, people with disabilities and their strife, Madhesi and their movement, Muslim and their quest for equity – they may look different on the outward appearance, and yet they are all but resistance against inequality, and indignities against humanity," Pariyar added.

"These are happening in silos, and Dalit Lives Matter Global Alliance believes that all these movements can come together and make a breakthrough in social justice. We are the people; we have the power."

This message of unity and cohesion deserves to be highlighted because it is the only effective strategy to create a strong message, a unified call for change. But, oddly enough, no aid agency so far has been coming forward to sponsor "Caste Conversation". Yet, no matter what, Pariyar told me, the show, a collaboration with Himalaya Television, will happen anyhow.

I can imagine that from such dialogue, a real commitment towards ending caste discrimination will emerge and consolidate. I wish that the government could step in and back such innovative initiatives like "Caste Conversation".

Pariyar finally shared with me the following statement: "The caste system and the inequalities and injustice created by the caste system are certainly not exclusive to a single community. Every individual and every community is affected. Hence, there is no alternative for meaningful participation, partnership and collaboration between people of all castes and communities to end the caste system – a disgrace to humanity."

Indeed it is "a disgrace to humanity".