Kathmandu – A Dalit’s house was demolished in Aurahi Rural Municipality-5, Siraha, under the pretext of organizing a Mahayagya (a grand religious ceremony). The issue was raised in the National Assembly, drawing strong reactions from lawmakers.
During the zero hour of the session, several lawmakers condemned the incident, calling it a prime example of caste discrimination and untouchability. They demanded an essential inquiry and strict action against those responsible. Specifically, they called for legal action against Aurahi Rural Municipality Chairman Shivaji Yadav and Mahayagya organizer Bajrangi Baba, who were allegedly involved in the demolition.
Lawmaker Goma Devi Timilsina of the CPN (Unified Socialist) urged the government to take immediate action against Chairman Yadav, whom she identified as the main perpetrator. “In Siraha, under the pretext of organizing a Mahayagya, a Dalit was reportedly told, ‘You are visible here,’ and their house, built under the Janata Awas program, was demolished using the municipality’s bulldozer under the leadership of the rural municipality chairperson, forcing them into displacement. The government should take the chairperson and all those involved into custody and take action against them,” she said.
Similarly, lawmaker Jayanti Devi Rai also called for an inquiry and legal action against the culprits. Rastriya Janamorcha National Assembly member Tul Prasad Bishwakarma also condemned the incident, calling for an investigation and strict legal action against those responsible. He emphasized the need to unite in eradicating caste-based discrimination from society.
Most of the lawmakers who spoke during the National Assembly meeting urged the government to take serious action regarding the incident. They stated that, even as Nepal approaches two decades since being declared a caste discrimination and untouchability-free nation, forcibly displacing Dalits from their settlement remains an inhumane act that demands immediate intervention.