LALITPUR: Minister for Women, Children, Gender and Sexual Minorities and Social Security, Sita Badi, has said that caste-based untouchability and discrimination are obstacles to a democratic and advanced society.

Addressing to a programme organized here today by the National Dalit Commission on the occasion of the National Day for the Elimination of Caste-Based Discrimination and Untouchability, she clarified that the contribution of the Dalit community to Nepal’s democratic movement has been significant.

“I want to honor the contribution of the Dalit community in every change in Nepal. The work done by the Commission with limited resources and manpower is commendable. We will coordinate and cooperate between the ministry and the commission to solve the problems of the Dalit community,” she said.

Chairman of the National Dalit Commission, Devraj Bishwakarma, expressed the view that an egalitarian and just society can be built through intensive discussions and dialogue on issues of discrimination. He stated that the Dalit Commission is advocating for the state to be the guardian of the vulnerable section of society that has a low economic level.

Commission member Mehaley Parki emphasized that the recommendations and concerns made by the commission must be implemented.

Attorney General Dr. Narayan Datta Kandel emphasized that the government, commission, and stakeholders need to work together to raise social awareness for the eradication of caste-based discrimination and untouchability. He noted that all state mechanisms should pay attention to aspects of human respect, dignity, and self-respect.

Information officer of the District Police Office Lalitpur, Superintendent of Police Gautam Mishra, expressed the commitment that the police organization will continuously remain active to ensure access to justice for the Dalit community.

Nepal was declared as ‘ nation free of caste discrimination and untouchability’ by the then Parliament on June 4, 2006. In remembrance of that day, today the Day for the Elimination of Caste Discrimination and Untouchability is being observed with the slogan ‘Effective mobilization of state structures for access to justice for the Dalit community.’