Effects of Maoist’s War on Dalits’ Movement

Abstract

This study was carried out to find the effects of the Maoist’s war on the Dalit movement in Nepal. The data were generated and interpreted using qualitative research design and methods. The major problem of Dalits in Nepal is caste-based untouchability. The study found that there was a small but active participation of Dalits during Maoist’s war and even in the post-war political movements. The study found that the issues of Dalits became an agenda of national politics by virtue of the armed struggle led by former unified Nepal Communist Party Maoist. Politically, there is a gradual improvement in the post-war period in the Dalit movement although it has yet to be institutionalized. The data showed that the Dalits are yet to be pulled up in the socio-economic development ladder; however, political participation, reservation in civil services, scholarships in school education and constitutional provisions showed that there is a gradual progress of the Dalits. Representation in political institutions and the inclusive provisions of the constitution of 2015, for example, fundamental rights against untouchability, right to equality and provision of National Dalit Commission as a constitutional body have stood as testimony. Analysing the history, this study concludes that merely legal provision does not make sense unless there is honest implementation. Therefore, the multiple methods of justice, for example, commutative, restorative, retributive, distributive, procedural can be applied to ensure justice to the Dalit community.