What can be done to ensure that Dalits will benefit from a federalist design?
Dalits, like all minorities, need to have very strong rights prohibiting discrimination, and strong, effective mechanisms to enforce those rights. Affirmative action can help to ensure they have access to jobs and education. They could also have a system of cultural autonomy, which is not based on territory, but on having structures which ensure that the community’s rights are protected. Q: Why are Dalits so discriminated against in Nepal? A: In Nepal, their identity is rooted in negative prejudices which are very strongly entrenched in cultural beliefs and attitudes, based on a Hindu caste system. They used to be called “untouchable,” but have rejected that word. The main demand from Dalits is to have proportional representation of jobs in Parliament and the government, and in the education system, so that they have a way to fight against the political domination they have been subjected to. Q: Is there anything else you would like to add? A: Yes, I would like to add that the complexi
