LETTERS

Still a long way to go

It was disturbing to read about the repression of Dalits at the hands of ‘upper castes’ in new Nepal. One incident happened in Tarai where the so-called upper caste Yadav community threatened and manhandled the Chamar community members when they refused to play music for free.

In another incident in western Nepal, Dalits were barred from using water from village wells. At a time when the country is providing quotas for Dalits in government jobs and educational institutions to narrow the socio-economic gap, it is distressing that Dalits are denied even their basic right to drinking water.

The international community must consider them serious violations of democracy and freedom, and threaten to stop releasing loans and grants to Nepal. Or else, the government, with the domination of upper caste members, will be able to do nothing concrete for the Dalits. The new constitution should end all forms of untouchability and institutional discrimination.

Dr Chhering Yonzon, Kathmandu

Soft touch

Apropos of the news report “Footpath vendors in line of Gautam’s fire” (THT, Oct 14), Home Minister Bamdev Gautam’s campaign to evict hawkers from the streets might ease the

movement of pedestrians. But, it will endanger their livelihood. Therefore, it would have been better if the home ministry had given roadside vendors enough time to look for alternative sources of employment.

An aggressive campaign might only make the problem worse.

Kishor Dahal, via e-mail

Act as one

This is in reference to the Edit page article “Global financial crisis” (THT, Oct 15). It is shocking that the world financial order is on the brink of a collapse, with the industrialised countries like the US, Canada and Australia being the hardest-hit. Due to the downturn in American economy, the entire world is facing an acute liquidity crisis.

The US government package aimed at bailing out its ailing banks is a good start in efforts to ease some anxiety in financial markets around the world. But the crisis calls for a coordinated action of all developed and big developing countries. No single initiative will be enough.

Shiva Neupane, Melbourne, Australia

Indifferent

I was shocked at the indifferent attitude of the government to the killing of a Nepali student, Ashok Bhattarai, in America. The Nepali embassy in Washington DC could play no constructive

role in the whole episode, from the shooting of Bhattarai to the transfer of his body to Nepal. Even the government’s handling of the Lukla plane crash left a lot to be desired. Our government needs to be more careful about handling such sensitive issues.

Dwaipayan Regmi, Biratnagar

End it

The syndicate system in any sector is a crime against the people. It should not be tolerated on any pretext. The concerned ministries and the Cabinet could end all forms of syndicate systems in Nepal if they so desired. Half-hearted attempts will not do.

Ramesh B Shrestha, Lalitpur