The Chamar Movement of Saptari and Siraha, 2056 BS

In October 1998, four Dalit Sangam (a Public Organization of the Dalit People) under the guidance of Saraswati Community Development Forum (SCDF), Terhauta, launched and strengthened the community program in four Village Development Committee of Saptari district, namely Hardiya, Daulatpur, Madhupatti and Kushaha.

After its formation, the Dalit communities were awaked about the “Role of the People’s Organizations in Civil Society” and the ‘Present Condition of the Dalit community in the Society”. These activities led to their strong unity and extension of the organization.

Between 1998 and mid- 1999, four strong people’s organizations were formed in four Village Development Committee which struggled on different issues of the oppression of the Dalits and started taking decisions about making internal reforms for caste and class upliftment.

Primary Phase of the Movement Against Throwing Carcasses

In July 1999, an animal of Kishan Kalwar of Madhupatti died. As practiced traditionally, he asked Dhodhai Ram to throw the carcass. When Dhodhai Ram refused, the owner had to throw the carcass himself. But the villagers threatened to boycott Dhodhai Ram for his refusal to throw it and boycotted him for a couple of days. Later, the Dalit organizations of 5 Village Development Committee joined together and supported Dhodhai Ram and protested against the boycott. The event was given due coverage in Chhalphal Saptahik (a Nepali weekly) dated 15th August, 1999. The news was copied and distributed among the other Dalit Sangams. The boycott could not prolong due to the unity of the Dalit Sangams. Instead, the movement against throwing the carcasses got momentum.

Expansion of the Movement

Another event occurred at Daulatpur in November 1999 after the event at Madhupatti. Some cattle of Harilal Chaudhari, Shreedev Chaudhari and Bhutai Chaudhari of Ward No. 5 of Daulatpur Village Development Committee died. The cattle owners asked the Chamars to throw the carcasses as per the existing tradition. However, none of the about 600 Chamars living in that village agreed to do so. Accordingly, they revolted against the Chamars from 1^st December 1999. They prevented the Chamars from taking any loans, using pipes, wells or ponds, working in somebody’s field, or as a labourer and also from buying goods from any shop. The defiant would-be fined NPR. 50. The Chamars of Daulatpur had a tough time for about a fortnight. The event was given a wide coverage in national daily newspapers like Himalaya Times, Kantipur and The Kathmandu Post.

Launching the Movement Against Throwing Carcasses in Lahan

After declaring to launch the movement against throwing carcasses during the Human Rights Day 10 December 1999, the President of Janachetana Dalit Sangam, Baldev Ram, reached Lahan with some copies of the Kantipur news on Daulatpur blockade. He related the December 1999 events of Daulatpur to the social leaders of Chamars and general people of Lahan. Moreover, Baldev Ram decided to launch a movement against throwing carcasses through a small meeting of the Chamars in Lahan. Thus, the Movement against throwing Carcasses had started from Lahan, Siraha in December 1999.

Impact of the Movement Against Throwing Carcasses

The Chamars’ decision against throwing carcasses became a sensation in Lahan. Many welcomed it, as their fundamental rights while others condemned it fearing it would upset the entire social structure. They called it improper and impractical. Meanwhile, a calf of Mr. Surendra Shrestha of Lahan Municipality died in evening. He requested many Chamars to throw the carcass but none agreed. At 8 p.m. he himself threw the carcass on a municipality wheelbarrow brought with the help of his neighbor Parshuram Chaudhari. After throwing the carcass, he said, “We threw the carcass ourselves. Will the society condemn us as untouchable? Never, but the Chamars are called so only on that account.”

Position of Lahan Municipality

Socially speaking, Lahan Municipality· is largely inhabited by Marwaris and Chaudhari who are mostly industrialists, rich and politically powerful. The Marwaris are involved in trade and industry while the Chaudhari are active in trade, industry as well as agriculture and politics.

An analysis of the power centers shows that Laganlal Chaudhari (former mayor) and Padma Narayan Chaudhari (former MP and State Minister for Industry) have been directing all the social, economic and political activities of Lahan. Despite their political or ideological differences, the Chaudharis display great harmony and agreement on many issues due to their old family and caste relations. Padma Narayan Chaudhari’s house still is regarded as Dyodhahi (a palace). He is a property owner. Many Dalits like Chamars and Musahars depend on their land (estate). On this account, the Dalits always dance to the master’s tune and the latter always cashes them as a vote bank (or pocket votes) during the elections.

Nature of Sanction Against the Chamars in Lahan:

On 24^th March, 2000, all the Chamars of Lahan Municipality had to face a very inhuman and harsh illegal blockade. On the eve, a group of 5-7 people went around the Lahan market and pressurized each individual and shopkeeper for social boycott and blockade of the Chamars. They also pasted a notice of the same flyers on electric poles. ”The Chamars are not allowed to walk upon others’ land, to use ponds, veils and pipes and to perform daily rituals (purging and pissing) on others’ land”. Early at the morning on 24^th March, 2000, two persons were employed by Chamar Boycott Committee to announce the blockade on a microphone. Accordingly, they hired a rickshaw (three-wheeler) and went around Lahan market appealing the shopkeepers not to sell any goods to the Chamars.

Early morning, the Chamar porters were forced out of the local Bus Park and deprived of their daily earning. A group was employed at the bus park under Bhagwati Chaudhari for that purpose. The bus conductor Sanhu Ram was forced out of his regular job. He was also asked to vacate the shop immediately rented at Magain Chaudhary’s house and close his communication centre.

Explosion of the Event

Few days the blockade was imposed on 24^th March, 2000, a buffalo belonging to Padma Narayan Chaudhari died. His family members ordered the Chamars to throw the carcass. However, the participants of the “Movement against Throwing Carcass” refused to follow the order. So, the family members of Padman Narayan Chaudhari had to throw it themselves. This enraged Padma Narayan Chaudhari and his elder brother Kisun Lal Chaudhari.

On 23rd March, 2000, a meeting was held at the school located in Ward No. 1 of Lahan Municipality under the chairmanship of Padma Narayan Chaudhari. It resolved that the Chamars were to be barred from the meeting. Other attendees belonged to 11 different castes. Padma Narayan Chaudhari made them all consent about the fact that the Chamars had breached the social tradition and deserved social punishment. Thus, a Chamar Boycott Committee was formed. It was not yet clear as to how many members it consisted. But a local resident, Purna Bahadur Khadka was selected as its chairman. It, however, prevented the Chamars from working as labourers, taking or giving loans, trading upon others’ land, using wells, pipes and ponds, working as porters at the bus park, working as bus conductors and buying goods from any shop. They were also sacked from the houses where they worked as attendants. A severe blockade followed the other day on 24^th March, 2000.

Participation of the Dalits in Chamar Boycott Committee

A group of Musahars belonging to the Dalits were actively involved in deciding for and executing the blockade on the Chamars. Later it was found that they had built their houses on Padma Narayan Chaudhari’s land. So, they could not defy the later’s order and support their fellow Chamars. Another reason was that they were likely to be placed as porters at Lahan Bus Park instead of the Chamars.

The Musahars were tempted at the prospect of earning Rs. 200 to 300 as porters so they took part in the forum against the Chamars. Moreover, the Chamars and the Musahars had been claiming superiority between each other as per the so-called social tradition of untouchability. This superstition also led to the Musahars getting involved against the Chamars.

Role of Saraswati Community Development Forum (SCDF) against the Blockade:

A three-day training was conducted by “People’s Organization or Unity for Rights” from 22^nd March, 2000 at the School, Kadamaha in Madhupatti Village Development Committee which was the work area of Saraswati Community Development Forum. The trainees consisted of the leaders of the Dalit Sangams (Public Organisation of Dalits) of five Village Development Committee and other district level Dalit leaders.

On the night of 23rd March, 2000, they came to know about the blockade being imposed from next morning. When they met at Lahan Chowk at 8 a.m. on 24^th March, 2000, the blockade was at its peak. Mayor Muni Shah expressed sorrow over the event, as well as his commitment to actively solve the problem. Then the delegation reached the Area Police Station. They pressurized the in-charge Sub-Inspector Harka Bahadur Karki of the event and requested him to take immediate action against the blockade. A delegation of the Dalit representatives, Saraswati Community Development Forum representative, Chamar victims, Human rights representative Jitendra Mahato, Advocate Suresh Karki, Mayor Muni Lal Shah, journalists and political leaders entered the site to hold a talk with the Chief District Officer.

The talk began immediately on their arrival. The talk was held for about 5 hours.’ During the talk, the blockade leaders insisted that the Chamars must throw the carcasses, as per existing tradition otherwise they would face the blockade. However, some points on agreement were;

1. No one shall be forced to throw carcasses against his will and the municipality shall make an alternative arrangement.
2. No one shall prevent anyone who offers to throw carcasses.
3. The blockade against the Chamars shall be immediately lifted, as it is illegal and inhuman.
4. The above points shall be abided by all. The defiant shall be legally executed.

Role of Local Administration:

Local police were found encouraging such activities like illegal advertising about the enforcement of the blockade against the Chamars, teams asking every shopkeeper to carry the blockade on, illegal forming of blockade committees, and forceful sacking the Chamars from their jobs. They paid attention only when the representatives of the Non-Government Organizations and Human Rights Organizations assembled the Chamar victims and pressurized the Chief District Officer and the police authority. The latter was sympathetic to the Chamars and expressed their commitment to take legal steps against the supporters of the blockade before the talk held at the Area Police Station. They even claimed that the Constitution held no importance. They would administer things strictly according to the social traditions. These were all highly objectionable. They also betrayed their helplessness by keeping quiet before the blockade party.

Role of Mass Media

The mass media, newspaper and Radio Nepal showed profound interest in the event of blockade against the Chamars. First of all, Kantipur Daily (a Nepali national daily newspaper) published the details of the event as the headline news in its issue dated 25^th March, 2000. It carried an editorial on the same issue only the other day that is on 26^th March, 2000. The Nepal Television broadcasted it on the Samachar Sar (News) Program on the same day. Similarly, the Radio Nepal made the event public by broadcasting it through Ghatana ra Vichar program.

Besides, Himalaya Times and other national daily newspapers published the news with due priority. The publicity of such sensitive news with top priority in leading newspapers and mass media drew the attention of all justice loving people of the country. So much so that leaders of political parties and members of parliament lost their patience and raised the issue (their voice) in the Lower House.

Formation of an Investigation Committee

Honorable Member of National Assembly, Shanta Manavi, was the first to speak and express sorrow on the issue. Similarly, honorable MP Mrigendra Kumar Singh condemned the event. Another MP Rishibabu Pariyar gave a speech against the oppression of the Dalits in the Kingdom. Meanwhile, the Social Justice Committee of National Assembly took the matter seriously. It formed a 4-member investigation team and sent it for investigation. The team consisted of Member of Parliament Dr. Ramman Shrestha, Shanta Manavi, Vijul Vishwakarma and Rishibabu Pariyar. They reached Lahan on 1^st April, 2000 and collected detailed information about the evei1t by talking to the concerned party, Chamar victims, blockade people, and leaders of political parties, local administration, police, journalists and other civilians. They promised to present their report on the event to the Social Justice Committee.

Role of Other Organizations

The representative of the human right organization Jitendra Mahato, representative of Nepal Downtrodden People’s Liberation Society Vishwendra Paswan, Advocate Suresh Karki, Mayor Munilal Sah and journalists played an active role in protecting the human right and self-respect of the Chamars in the event of the blockade in Lahan. Their efforts and advocacy for the Dalits are highly appreciable.

Role of Nepal Downtrodden People’s Liberation Society

The Society assembled the Dalits and convened a meeting in Lahan on 25 March, 2000. It also formed Nepal Downtrodden People’s Liberation Society Joint Struggle Committee. The Committee was deputed to take five Chamar victims to Kathmandu, present a memorandum to the Prime Minister, and organize a rally in Kathmandu. Similarly, it presented a memorandum to District Administration Office, Siraha on 3rd April, 2000. It also issued an appeal about the event in Lahan.

Moreover, it decided to organize 2-hour transport strike in Lahan on 26^th March, 2000, but it postponed the program for certain reason. Saraswati Community Development Forum refrained from participating in the program as the Committee had taken the decision without its consultation, although Saraswati Community Development Forum had played an essential part in getting the blockade against the Chamars lifted.

Challenge by the Blockade Party to the Human Rights Activists

The blockade party were shocked by the strong condemnation of their inhuman, cruel, illegal and oppressive activities all over the country. Especially after the investigation of the parliamentarians’ committee, they feared to be legally executed. Then they took, a defensive posture. They issued an appeal blaming that the event was politicized, the Chamars were being made scapegoats, and the Non-Government Organisations were harvesting dollars through the event.

Press Conference by Saraswati Community Development Forum

Saraswati Community Development Forum held a press conference on 4^th April, 2000 to clarify its role, view and future program after the appeal of the blockade people was issued and some people tried to ignore its role in ending the blockade. About 16 journalists of Siraha and Saptari district and many other people were present in the program held in the hall of Industry and Trade Union, Lahan. Executive Director of Saraswati Community Development Forum, Dilip Kumar Chaudhari, issued a press release explaining about its role in the event. Arjun Thapaliya answered the questions raised by the journalists. The news about the conference was published in the Kantipur and The Kathmandu Post.

All–Party Meeting

An all-party meeting was held on 4th April, 2000 at District Administrative Office” Siraha at the initiation of the Chief District Officer. The participants held an extensive discussion on the event. Chief District Officer Anandraj Pokharel tried to protect the blockade group from legal execution saying that there should not be much argument or debate about the agreement that had already been reached, but the people of other parties opposed him. Another meeting was held on 7th April, 2000. It decided to legally execute Puma Bahadur Khadka, President of the Chamar Boycott Committee, from among others.

Continued Movement Against Blockade

Nepal Downtrodden People’s Liberation Society had rescheduled a protest meeting and on 2-hour transport strike in Lahan on 10^th April, 2000.

Filing Public Suit

The Dalits organized protest rallies, transport strike and protest meetings against the blockade in Lahan on 10^th April, 2000. The meeting was addressed by the representative of Samyukta Janmorcha (United People’s Front), Dalit leaders and journalists. The Dalits participating in the rally filed a case against the two major people of th~ blockade group, Padma Narayan Chaudhari and Purna Bahadur Basnet.

Protest Against the Dalit Movement

The Nepali Congress Town Committee, Lohan, presented a memorandum to the Prime Minister through the Area Police Station. Lahan, on political basis, as a protest against the case filed on the blockade people saying that it was aimed at character assassination of Padma Narayan Chaudhari. Similarly; counter programs like protest rally, mass meeting, transport strike and sit-in at the Area Police Station, Lahan were scheduled for 17^th April, 2000. On 16th April, 2000, Nepali Congress appealed to the people to take part in counter-struggle through advertising on microphone and distributing pamphlets. The Nepali Congress Town Committee demanded that the Minister of Home Affairs should visit the spot and make an on-the-spot investigation.

Time–line of the Chamar Movement:

The movement started in 1998 in Lahan area. More than 57 events had taken place. During 1998 to 1999 only four events were organized. Main objectives of these movements were to organize the Chamars first and’ conduct public awareness programs – like rally, mass meeting to unite as well as to make them participate in welfare activities. The outcome of the initial phase of the program was to bring awareness among the Chamars first and unite them to resist against trouble makers. Basically, during that period, awareness campaign, committee formation, community mobilization, health and sanitation programs were launched. It resulted in positive response in life of Chamars and it further helped the Chamar movement through active participation.

During the period of June 2000 to Oct 2000, nine events took place. The Chamars refused to throw carcasses and not to work as mid-wife. Two rallies were organized along with mass meeting which decided to protest by refusing to throw carcass At the beginning of 2001 in January, National and Local Newspaper, T.V. and Radio published the news – covering movement of the Chamars for not throwing carcass. Similarly, within 2001 there were 15 events. These movements were organized by Chamars with regional and national Dalit organization. The Chamar movement also got support from other Dalits as well as political parties.

As a result, various organizations like Dalit Sangam and others were established. In this period, Chamar movement got support from other national, regional and local organizations. They demanded for free education and the right to go to the public places and to abolish the practice of untouchability.

In March 2001, Dalits of the study area with leaders and activists protested the rally, demonstration against the blockade and boycott against the Dalits decision not to throw carcass. This issue had attracted the attention of the district administration office, police office and even parliament. In this period the people of high castes held meeting in Lahan to blockade against the Chamars movement of Lahan.

During 2002 to 2005, 27 events took place. At that period spot inspection, field study, supervision teams were mobilized by the Government, Human rights and Dalit organizations. Then various programs were launched to empower the Dalits. One of the most important events was “Sweeper Movement in Lahan Municipality” demanding increment in salary and guarantee in job as well as permission to enter in temples, hotels and other public places.

The Brief Timeline of Chamar Movement in Nepal