Although the Constitution guarantees equality, cases of caste-based discrimination hog the headlines from time to time. Monitoring such violations was one of the objectives of putting in place the National Dalit Commission (NDC), which, unfortunately, has not been able to make that much of a difference. On the contrary, the NDC has been accused of apathy towards the Dalits themselves. Of late, about a dozen NGOs working for the Dalits have accused the NDC of not championing the cause of the deprived community. The NDC has also come in for sharp criticism for not reacting against the cases of injustice meted out to the Dalits, especially in Siraha and Saptari districts in recent times. In a memorandum submitted by the NGOs, the commission has been asked to take action against those who had debarred the Dalits from entering the temples at Patthargadha VDC in Saptari district and Bhadaiya VDC in Siraha district. The representatives have even threatened to launch an agitation.

The Dalits will have to help themselves first before expecting any support from the so-called upper caste community. In this context, the Dalits need to stop caste-based discriminations among themselves. The issue of untouchability between lower and higher castes still bedevils the country even though the rigidities are slowly breaking down with the rising level of education and awareness on various forms of human rights. Paradoxical as it may sound, while some members of the Dalit or ethnic communities have traditionally been serving as priests in a number of temples in the country, in some others they are disallowed entry. Certainly, there must not be discrimination against anybody, including the Dalits, in public places, be they temples, hotels or community water taps. The NDC should focus on taking up these and other worthy causes of the Dalits in an effective fashion. It is most unfortunate that commissions of the NDC kind have generally proved to be rather ineffective in Nepal.