Dalits and religious crossroads

I read your news item "Dalit condemn discrimination" of Feb 12, 2003, which quoted a press statement issued by the Director of Dalit NGO Federation, citing the case of Shaileshwari temple of Doti where a huge yagya is going on. In the far western district—be it Shaileshwari of Doti or Dilashaini of Baitadi—Dalits of that part have been trying to exert their rights to enter the Hindu temple with hope that their fellow brothers and sisters would embrace them. On the contrary, despite former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba’s announcement, situation has not changed so much.

Effort of Dalits to enter the Hindu temples should be regarded as a humble desire of the Dalits to remain Hindus. If the situation does not improve, then they will be compelled to take the option of converting into Christianity which would provide them not only dignity but an opportunity to change their life for better through education and income generating opportunities.

If the so-called contractors of orthodox Hindu change their attitude towards Dalits, the percentage of Hindu population will remain as 80 percent; otherwise it will come down to 70 percent in the next 10 years’ time.

Hira Vishwakarma
Cork, Ireland