Summary:

Every year, on the occasion of Janai Purnima, a big event (Mela) is organized at Shree Malika Mai Bhagwati Mandir situated at ward no. 4 in Malika VDC of Dailkeh district. Every community people are welcomed there except Dalit community. From last year, Dalit community were advocating for allowing them to enter into the temple/event. This year, through initiation of Mr. Nain Singh Nepali (Coordinator, HRAA, Malika VDC); Dalits community people were allowed to enter into the temple as well as Mela. During that Mela, priest in the temple, tied Rakshya Bandhan (sacred thread that is tied in hands during Rakhsya Bandhan festival) to approximately 50 Dalit community people. This can be marked as milestone in protecting and promoting human rights of Dailt in that community.

Challenges:

There was trend of not allowing Dalit community to enter in that Malika Bhagwati Temple. There was CBD & U related network already which was mobilized by NNDSWO Dailkeh District Chapter. Representing that network, previously Nain Singh along with other Dalit community protested for allowing them to enter into the temple. But, majority of Thakuri community residing in that area didn’t allow them to enter into temple and even threatened him, if he continues to disobey the community rule. Later on, when HRAA was formed in that VDC, they organized issue based interaction with political/ social leaders, district/VDC stakeholders, police personnel and religious leader/priest. Then, they agreed to let them to enter into the temple in Mela of Rakshya Bandhan on 2073/05/02 B.S and as agreed almost 50 Dalit community people were tied with Rakshya Bandhan in their hands. But they haven’t provided Panchamrit (Prasad with mixture of milk, ghee, molasses, honey and water which is considered as sacred and offered as Prasad in every religious event).There is a ritual of not providing milk related products to Dalit community with the belief that it would harm their cattle. HRAA is committed to work for advocacy and lobbying on eradicating all stigmatized CBD&U cultures in their community.

Initiative:

Human Rights Advocacy Alliance (HRAA) of Malika VDC was able take stand for protecting right for every individual. For protecting rights and dignity of Dalit community, HRAA was able to make it possible of decades long culture of not letting the Dalit to enter into the temple. They organized issue based interaction with political/social leaders, district/VDC stakeholders, police personnel and religious leader/priest. Then, they agreed to let them to enter into the temple in Mela of Rakshya Bandhan on 2073/05/02 B.S and as agreed, Dalit community people entered into the Mela and the temple and almost 50 Dalit community people were tied with Rakshya Bandhan in their hands.

Results:

With the initiation of Mr. Nain Singh Nepali (HRAA Coordinator) and HRAA members of Malika VDC, they were able to make it possible for Dalit to get out of religious barriers of untouchability. The situation is still not in favor of Dalit community. So, they are continuously lobbying and advocating for their rights.