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It was only a few weeks
after the killing of Human Rights defender Dayaram Pariyar in a shooting spree of government’s security
forces, Deepak Biswokarma another Dalit
activist and Setu Sunar, a
Woman Dalit activist died as martyrs of currently
ongoing Lokatantrik Andolan.
Proclamation paves the way for the
Complete Inclusive Democracy
The
King’s proclamation reinstating the dissolved parliament has paved the
way for complete democracy in
Seven Party Alliance (SPA) must honestly follow their own decision to go for
constituent assembly as the major and single agenda of forthcoming session of
parliament and government that would lead to a logical solution of existing
crisis. If they undermine the popular demand of complete democracy, and won't
comply with their own agenda set forth showing the suitable behavioural
and real changes, that would really be unfortunate for the country. People will
never forgive them.
(Comments
by: Tek Tamrakar, Fellow of
Human Rights, UN Human Rights Council,
Although it may be totally not over yet, let's hope this movement/crisis in
(Comments
by Raymond Brandes, Management Advisor at DNF, Kathmandu,
The
King’s proclamation was made under the intense pressure emanating from
peoples’ movement (Lokatantrik Andolan), from Maoists as well as from the international
community. Whatever the King might have been thinking about his remaining card
to play further whilst he was delivering the proclamation, all what he said
during the NTV broadcast was the maximum he would have liberty to say. Nepalese
people have been sick and tired of his proclamations, and would not want any
more proclamation at his will. All they wanted from him was to leave the space
for them to rule for themselves. If anyone is asking the King to do more than
what he did, it would also mean that he or she is asking the King to be
proactive. I would want to warn the Maoists as well on that it would not be the
King to decide and proclaim for constituent assembly, it is the people
themselves who should be making declaration saying, “We, the people of
There
is only one grey area in what may be in store for Nepalese people. During the
peoples’ movement, the King was thrashed very badly, but not to the
extent to demolish the Army still loyal to him. It is important that Nepalese
people must now remain closely watchful as to how the Royal Nepal Army will
actually be transformed into a Nepalese Peoples’ National Army.
After
a long last, alternating between autocratic regimes and partial democracies,
ever since the fall of Rana regime, the current
situation at hand is a golden opportunity for equalizing Nepalese people
of all socio-economic, political or feudal strata, giving them the share of
every thing they deserve by virtue of being citizens of the country. At the
same time, it is also an opportunity for them to fulfill the responsibilities
as the citizens. By all counts, Dalits have been the
most oppressed sect of people, who deserve the greatest attention of all under
an inclusive democracy, which is what the current time warrants in the country.
(Comments
by Dr. DP Rasali, Founder, Nepaldalitinfo
International Network)
Invitation to Funeral (Sav Yatra)
Deepak Biswokarma, Neta-7, Solukhumbu active member of
Nepal Rastiya Dalit Mukti Sangathan who was
wounded by Government security forces on Baisakh
7 during a massive peoples’ demonstration in Kalanki,
died on Baisakh 9th morning at Teaching Hospital
while undergoing treatment. The Nepal Rastiya Dalit Mukti Sangathan
organized a funeral procession (Sav Yatra) from the Teaching Hospital for honoring Deepak Biswokarma, as the martyr of the Lokatantrik
Andolan-II (2nd Peoples’ Movement),
in the teaching hospital . Everyone is heartily invited to attend the funreral at the Teaching Hospital at 7:00 am.
Dalits have been actively participating in the Democractic movement, as they have been organizing the huge
mass demonstration all over the country. Dalit
organizations such as Nepal Utpitdit Jatiya Mukkti Samaj,
Nepal Dalit Shangh , Nepal Dalit Shangh (D) and Jatiya Samata Samaj
have been organizing and participating in street protests with huge presence of
Dalit People. They have declared that all kinds of Dalit Rights are achievable only in the full democracy.
All Dalit intellectuals who are involvement in
different academic field in the country and out of the county are
requested to provide solidarity to this Democratic movement and try to
create international
pressure from the Side of International Dalit
community living abroad, especially in
(Report by Tirtha Barma)
Meaning of King’s
Proclamation
This
unilateral proclamation from the King, though presumably made under intense
pressure of Lokatantrik Andolan,
seems to take the situation back to pre- February 1, but keeping all the
advantages to the King himself. I am not sure how SPA and Maoists will react to
it, but I as a typical Nepali of disadvantaged orientation would like put
forward my reactions as follows:
1.
Nepalese have fought for their full democratic rights for more than 60 years to
reach, thus far, a situation of mass movement for full democracy (Lokatantrik Andolan). At this
juncture, people are not ready to accept, in its face value, the unilateral
proclamation from the King made without any consultation with people and all
political leaders.
2.
If any person becomes a Prime Minister at the present King’s call, he
will be another Deuba appointed by the King, only to
be humiliated again. He will have no control of the Royal Army, will have no
control of the Government machinery which is already spoilt by the autocratic
regime, will have no respect from the people, will have hard time matching his
actions with the will of people and the political parties (even though the
parties may be agreeing to accept him in the beginning), and will not be able
to hold general elections in the foreseeable future.
3.
The new Government appointed will not be able to even scratch the surface of
the underlying problems dogging the country in conflict.
4.
Unless an election of Constituent Assembly is announced, restructuring of the
state and its governance, to dismantle the age old feudal system will not be
possible even in the dreams. Without restructuring the whole systems, inclusive
democracy bringing all disadvantaged sections of the society, mainly women, Dalits, Janajatis and the
poorest people of remote areas, to the mainstream of the society will not be
possible, and underlying problems of conflict will not be addressed.
All democratic forces in
analyzing the pros and cons of the proclamation must therefore be cautioned at
this juncture such that appropriate further course of action can be taken
towards achieving full democracy (Loktantra), where
the people will have rights to self-determination.
(Comments by Bhakti
DB
Sagar Bishwokarma [ICDR]
adds:
The King is not
delivering absolute democracy, and is [rather] playing [a card] to divide
political parties and people. There (in the King’s speech) is not any
space for Dalits and other social excluded groups,
neither it is not talking about Army and secularism.
This is very sad that we
need to fight continuously for establishing Loktrantra.
Calling Friends in
Solidarity
April 22, 2006. After the royal proclamation of
Government has imposed curfew again from 12:00
in the afternoon until 8:00 pm, and it has been reportedly (unconfirmed)
extended to 12:00 midnight. It has also cut off the mobile services again.
Despite the curfew, more than 600,000 thousand people came out of their homes
today in the main streets of Lalitpur, Thapathali, Maitighar, Babar Mahal, Baneswor,
Koteswor, Chabahil, and
around the Ring Road demonstrating against the King's proclamation.
We have understood and have undertaken that
without the democracy in
http://www.worldproutassembly.org/archives/2006/04/breaking_news_f_1.html
(Report by Pratik Pande)
How are Dalits playing their important role in Loktantrik
Andolan?
Dalits have been playing an
important role in the democratic movement for a long period in
On Apri 18 ,2006, Dalits
demonstrated from different parts of the country . In Dhangadi, thousands of Dalits,
Janjati and Kamaiya jointly
demonstrated in a huge mass carrying with them Halo (plough), Juwa (Plough yoke)
and Kodalo (spade). They organized the mass
rally demanding a republican
In Nepalganj, Dalits demonstrated coming out of their homes, and a young Dalit woman Setu Sunar was killed by the Pulice
force during the peaceful protest. She is the first Dalit
Sahid (martyr)
in this Loktantrik Movement. Yesterday, a huge
mass demonstrated protesting against
her murder case in Nepalganj.
Likewise, in Bhojpur, Khotang, Shankhuwa Shava and Dhankutta
districts, Dalit people have joined hands with Janjaties people in the pro-democracy demonstrations, while
in Biratnagar, Dharan,
Rajbiraj, Bharapur, Kakarbhitta, they have demonstrated separately on their own
in solidarity with nation-wide movement.
Yesterday , Pathari of
Morang District 10 thousand Dalits
are demonstrated against the autocracy. This mass was led by Dalit activists, namely, Durga Biswokarma, the president of SLOC Nepal, Bhim Shankar, Lachhaman
gajmer -Nepal Dalit Shang, Chaatra baraily, Krishna Biswokarma
. Soon after the street demonstration, they organized a mass meeting,
where they demanded full democracy in
(Report by Tirtha Barma [April 20, 2006])
Samyaukta
Dalit Sangharsha Samiti
Gongabu,
(Report by: Pradip Pariyar /Sachin Amatya, DWO,
Dalits
should not be compelled to agitate again in Loktantrik
Nepal for their rights
Yesterday the 18th April 06 in the headquarters of Mid-western region Surkhet, a mass demonstration of 10 thousand people in the
leadership and coordination of Dalit Sayunkta Jana Andolan Sangharsh Samitee unanimously
demanded that in the forthcoming Loktantrik Nepal Dalits should not be compelled to agitate again for their
rights. In the past, despite having democracy, Dalits
could not enjoy their rights of equality and dignity as compared to their
fellow countrymen. All the time they had to raise the voice for human dignity
and equality with the state and society. They all reiterated the fact that in
the absence of full-fledged democracy Dalit rights
can not be ensured, and, therefore, a mass demonstration had to be organized in
support and solidarity of ongoing peoples’ movement led by Seven Party
Alliance. In the mass rally, funeral music was played along with the blowing of
conch shell as a symbol of absence of democracy. There was a rain throughout the
country, and without being bothered by it a large crowd of Dalits
and non-Dalits gathered in
Despite chanting of strong anti monarchy slogan the security forces did not
intervene the mass rally and ended peacefully, which is indeed a matter of
surprise. Since the workers of the Municipality, many of whom are Dalits, have been rendered jobless due to ongoing agitation
for the last 13 days, they were helped by raising 20 quintals of rice, one
quintal lentil and salt from the local market.
The district coordinator of DEIP Mr. Krishna Sherala
has been very instrumental in organizing the event and bringing in Dalits to the mass rally from the villages. Another
interesting feature of the movement is the involvement of large number of non-Dalit people in the mass rally, clearly showing that it has
become a real people's movement (Jana Andolan).
Many Dalit people are
involved in the democratic movement of
In Nepalganj Banke district,
on April 18, a Dalit girl Setu
Sunar (Biswokarma) has been
killed by the police in a peaceful mass demonstration, where there were more
than 20 thousand people demonstrating for democracy. The agitating mass
of people started to destroy the status of King Gyanendra,
and the police start to firing and bullet tear gas; a tear gas directly shot up
into the mouth of Shetu whilst she was carrying the
banner with demand for establishing the democracy. She was rushed to the
hospital by human rights defenders and volunteers, but she died on the way.
She is the first woman from Dalit
community to be killed by
police in this democratic movement, and is a martyr of ongoing Loktantrik Andolan. Shetu had 3 children, and her last child is only 6 month
old, Her husband had gone to Gulf country for the employment.
(Report by Tirtha Barma, April 19, 2006)
Re-structured
state with inclusive democracy is the need of the day
A mass of 2000 Dalits in Jaleswar
the district headquarters of Mahottari demonstrated
from 12 to 2 pm today with strong anti monarchy slogan in support of ongoing
agitations against the autocratic rule of king and for the establishment of the
complete democracy.
Had not been bandh in the district there would have
been more than five thousand Dalits in the
municipality demonstrating for the democracy. The mass rally circled the main
road of the town and chanted slogan for inclusive democracy of Dalit. A corner meeting was organized and was addressed by
the local Dalit leader Mr. Jitendra
Paswan and Pancha Kumari Pariyar the community
facilitator of DEIP. The
demonstration was organized by Dalit civil society
forum and organizations involved were Jana Utthan Mahottari branch, Nepal Uttpidit Pariyojana, Mahottari Dalit Janjati Utthan
Sangh, Dalit Mukti Samaj and
Dalit representatives of political parties.
The Dalits have committed that until full fledged
democracy is restored the demonstration and agitation will continue.
It has also been reported that despite strong anti monarch slogans the security
forces did not intervene rather they agreed with the demonstrators not to harm
each other. This clearly shows that Security Forces
are in favour of people's movement.
(DIspatch by Hira Vishwakarma, based on the conversation with Mr. Jitendra Paswan, a Dalit leader of Mahottari)
Dalits should not be compelled
to agitate again in Loktantrik Nepal for their
rights
Yesterday
the 18th April 06 in the headquarters of Mid-western region Surkhet
a mass demonstration of 10 thousand people in the leadership and coordination
of Dalit Sayunkta Jana Andolan Sangharsh Samitee unanimously demanded that in the forthcoming Loktantrik Nepal Dalits should
not be compelled to agitate again for their rights. In the past despite having
democracy Dalits could not enjoy their rights of
equality and dignity as compared to their fellow countrymen. All the time they
had to raise the voice for human dignity and equality with the state and
society. They all reiterated the fact that in the absence of full-fledged
democracy Dalit rights can not be ensured therefore a
mass demonstration had to be organized in support and solidarity of ongoing
people's movement of seven party alliance.
In the mass rally funeral music was played along with the blowing of conch
shell as a symbol of absence of democracy. There was a rain through out the
country and without bothering to it a large crowd of Dalits
and non-Dalits were gathered in Surkhet
municipality to demand complete democracy and election of constituent assembly.
The convener of the mass rally Mr. Bhim Shahi (Pariyar), under secretary
of Nepal National Depressed Social Welfare Organization (NNDSWO) Surkhet branch and active member of Nepali Congress
(Democratic) addressed the meeting. Likewise former member of National Dalit Commission and leader of Nepali Congress (D) Mr. Lok Bahadur Vishwakarma,
Central Member of Mukti Samaj
Mr. Gagan Sunar also
addressed the meeting. They all demanded that there should be a constitutional
guarantee of reservation for Dalits for their all
round development. Along with the establishment of Loktantrik
Despite chanting of strong anti monarchy slogan the security forces did not
intervene the mass rally and ended peacefully, which is indeed a matter of
surprise. Since the labour of the municipality many
of
them are Dalits have been rendered jobless due to
ongoing agitation for the last 13 days, were helped by raising 20 quintals of
rice, one quintal lentil and salt from the local market.
The district coordinator of DEIP Mr. Krishna Sherala
has been very instrumental to organize the event and brining in Dalits to the mass rally from the villages. Another
interesting feature of the movement is the
involvement of other non-Dalit people in the mass
rally who were in the large number, that clearly shows that it has become a
real people's movement (Jana Andolan).
(Dispatch
by Hira Vishwakarma, based
on the conversation with Mr. Krishna Sherala in Surkhet. 19 April 06, 1:30pm)
Dalit
leaders/activists arrested and injured in the protest called by Seven Party
The following is the list of the Dalit leaders/activists arrested and injured in the protest
called by Seven Party Alliance (SPA) since 24 Chaitra
2062 as per the data distributed by Mukti Samaj Nepal to the Media, irrespective of different banners
of Political Parties and the Civil society they bear:
Arrested Leader and Activist Injured
Leader and Activist
1) Lal Bahadur
BK 1) Nirmal Deula
2) Jitu Gautam
2) Chitra Rasaili
3) Ishowri
Rizal
3) Tirtha Barma
4) Bhagwot
Biswasi
4) Shanti Barma
5) Purusottam
BK
5) Tulash Gautam
6) Bom Bdr.
BK
6) Junga Khati
7) Sundar Purkoti
7) Hom Khati
8) Babu Ratna Deula
8) Harisharan Khati
9) Ram Lakhan
Harijan
9) Ramesh
Rizal
10) Hari
Nepali 10)
Ram Bdr. Ghatani
11) Dhan Bdr.
Nepali 11)
Narayan Ghatani
12)
Bal Bdr. Pariyar 12)
Tek Ghatani
13) Hom
Nepali 13)
14) Prem
BK 14) PanBhai Deula
15) Raju Sharki
15) Sundar
BK
16) Lokendra
Nepali
16)
17) Lal Bdr. Chunara 17) Kamal Rahapal
18) Sushil BK
19)
Report by: Pushkar Khati
RJ/Times
FM 90.6Mhz
Gen
Secretary/CUCEQ
PH: 2190343/9841361468
Dalit leader arrested in the democratic
movement organized" The role of Dalit in
Inclusive Democracy" an Intraction programme in
In the Interaction Programme Politbeuro Member Of CPN(UML ) Modnath
Prasit , NC Leader Sukraraj
Sharma, NC(D ) Leader Deep Kumar Upadyaya, Leader of
United Peoples’ Front Nepal Ghanashyam Sharma,
Leader Tanka Karki,
academician Dr. Mangal Siddhi
Manandhar and Dr. Tika Pokhrel said " Dalit will
include and they must Represent in The Inclusive Democracy".They
also said that they will make especial plan for inlcusion
of Dalit after the establishment of Full Phase
Democracy.
Menawhile Ex MP and Dalit leader Bijul Bishowkarma asked to Leder of
Political Parties to make the clear role and the Posion
of dalit In the Inclusive Democracy.Meanwhile
Chair Person of the Intraction Program and the Tresurer of MUkti Samaj Nepal and Member of NDC Ishwori
Rizal expressed his belief that the Political Parties
will fulfil their commitment after the establishment
of Democracy.
The MC of the Interaction Program was Sundar Purkoti, Member of Mukti Samaj
Report by: Pushkar Khati
RJ/Times
FM 90.6Mhz, Gen Secretary/CUCEQ
PH:
2190343/9841361468
Dalit
Welfare Organization (DWO) Participates in the Joint Struggle for Democracy
Dalit Welfare Organization
(DWO) is on the joint struggle for Lokatantra,
protesting against the Autocratic regime of King Gyanendra.
On the 9th day of people's demonstration today, DWO and other dalit Activists performed their protest demonstrations
peacefully, but the police arrested more than half a dozen dalit demonstrators.
Report by:
Dinesh Kumar Pariyar
Co-Director, Sahayatra
TV Program
DWO
Blood
Donation Program
April 15,
Total of 50 bags of blood were collected. There
were more than 35 people who could not donate blood due to lack of more blood
collecting bags. Since it is public holiday today, the Red Cross Office was
closed and they could only bring 50 bags from their side.
The organizers were able to inform only few
people by phone about the donation program and were not expecting such a huge
response from general people who were neither affiliated with COCAP nor the Dalit Journalists organizations. The by passers, who were
in the way to Anam Nagar,
knew themselves about the program and they themselves actively wanted to donate
blood supporting the movement by helping in the way they could. Some people
were in such a hurry, they wanted to donate in the first number whereas they
arrived there little late. Their logic was to go to demonstration again after
donating blood and that they do not want to waste their time in a queue.
Anyway, it was a grand success. Besides these 35
who were present there and could not donate, there were other so many who were
interested to donate. Both the organizers deserved due appreciation for
the valuable program in time of such a need for blood in solidarity to ongoing
mass movement.
Report by Pratik Pande, JMC [April 15, 2006].
Pushkar Khati adds:
I am very happy to know the news of blood
donation program from Pratik Pande
as well as the media, as the process of blood donation program organized by Dalit organizations is a way forward to breaking down the
social barrier and custom especially in the Nepalese society, wherein
traditional bad culture of untouchability
discriminate between various castes for Water and Blood. I thank the organizers JMC (especially, Binod Pahadi and Suvash Darnal) and COCAP.
Arrests of Rights
activists supporting Pro-democracy movement of Nepal at Baneshwor
April 13,
The Right
activists’ chanted anti-monarchy slogans as well as in favor of
restoration of democracy and peace. The police force intervened the peaceful
demonstration and arrested at least 14 members of civil society members namely Gajhadar Sunar (General Secretary
of DNF), Santosh Bishwokarma
(Dalit Welfare Organization), Rubin Ghandharba (Gandharba Tatha Sanskrit Kendra), Bhola Bhattarai (FECOFUN), Bhola Bhattrai,(FECOFUN), Thakur Bhandari (FECOFUN), Sarod Gurung (FECOFUN), Min Basnet
(OREC), Santi Adhikari
(Human Rights Alliance), Netra Timilsina
(NGO Federation), Sharmila Karki
(NGO-Federation/Jagaran Nepal), Bhagawati
Nepal (NGO Federation), Mitra Lal
Sharma (National Federation of Disabled) and Durga Shrestha (COFSCN).
Issuing a joint press
statement in solidarity of the on-going movement, Dalit
NGO Federation along with its member organization strongly condemned the
suppression against the peaceful demonstration of Civil Society and the
on-going movement of the parties and urged the Government to immediately
release the arrested all political leaders, activists, human rights defenders,
Rights activists and all the representative of civil society members.
Report by Suman Paudel, DNF
Press Releases:
9. Feminist Dalit Organization- April 26, 2006
8. Call
for joining the funeral procession for martyr Deepak Bishwokarma-
by Yaman Nepali
7. Jagaran Media Center- April 25, 2006
6. Nepal
National Dalit Journalist Association- April 24, 2006
5. Jana Utthan Pratisthan- April 24, 2006
4. Jana Uttan Pratisthan- April 24, 2006
3. Jana
Uttan Pratisthan- April 20,
2006
2. National
Academy of Dalit Intellectuals, Nepal- April 18, 2006
1. Rastriya Dalit Janadhikar Manch- April 13, 2006
Backgrounder:- Nepalese have lost their hard-earned democracy