Energizing Social Movement in Nepal for Better Social Justice

Organised by Center for Social Transformation, Nepal (CST-N)

21 November 2003

A one-day workshop on Energizing Social Movement in Nepal for Better Social Justice began in Katmandu on 21 November 2003 with the welcome speech by Nara Bahadur Khadka of CST/Nepal. Senior leader of Nepal Congress (NC) Narahari Acharya inaugurated the programme.

This was the first program organized on social movements in Nepal encompassing a number of themes, such as Dalits, youth, ethinc groups and nationalities, trade unions and women. The consciousness of people about democracy, human rights, social justice, ecological preservation and peace has been transforming the people from spectators to actors in the world and has posed multiple resistance against the hegemony of the system in the forms of social movements. As a part of civil society, diverse peoples of Nepal have already started to construct their collective identity and deepen interpersonal relations seeking adequate political opportunities by means of collective action.

Addressing the workshop organized by CST/Nepal and FES, Dev Raj Dahal, Head of Nepal office of FES, highlighted the connection between social movement, democracy and social justice. The movement should be looked at broader perspective, he said. The main merit of such movement is that it raises social, economic, cultural and political contradictions in society expressing unsatisfied needs of people against the political system. Through this movement we can maintain a balance between social harmony and democratic political culture by coordinating people's interests more effectively, he argued. Linking social movement of Nepal with the present day political contradictions of the country, Dahal laid more emphasis on social reforms to solve critical issues.

Prof. Krishna Khanal, who was the moderator of workshop, threw light on the historical evolution of the concept of social movement and social justice. Conflict in society never seizes to exist because it's a never-ending process, he said. Prof. Khanal also explained how man's limitations shrink his links to society. But, it's the man's good thoughts, which harmonize his social links, he said.

Narahari Acharya, a senior leader of Nepali Congress, was also supportive to the arguments on social movement and social justice. In Nepal, the revolution of 1951 brought the social movement into limelight. In this context, the other political movements including the democratic struggle of 1990 too were helpful to work for social movement in the country, Acharya opined. People's political rights are guaranteed in the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal, 1990. But, what went wrong in this decade, according to NC leader Acharya is that the process of social movement could not proceed as expected, moderate political parties could not implement social agenda and, consequently, politics of the country became confrontational.

The second session, which was scheduled for presenting papers, started after tea break. The first paper was on "Strong Dalit Movement for Social Justice" by Basanta Kumar Biswokarma, a lecturer at TU. His paper discusses historical aspects of unequal treatment faced by Dalits. The other paper was on the urgency of "Youths' Involvement for Social Change," by Biswo Prakash Sharma. Sharma, himself a student leader, argued "youths are active agent of social change, but he cautioned that youths should also not be indifferent to social values."

Pushpa Bhusal, a lawyer by profession, talked of women's issues for strengthening social movement while presenting her paper. Women's involvement at decision making level has to be increased in proportional to their number, she demanded.

Paper by Rajendra Kumar Acharya, a trade union leader, however, tried to focus on labour related problems to activate social reforms. Despite existence of trade unions in Nepal, there are several examples in which workers' common say is weakened. This serves no one - neither institutions nor unions. Acharya, therefore, demands society's positive attitude for unions to maximize reform gains.

Discussion Session

After lunch break, the workshop entered into discussion session in which participants actively interacted in issues of social movement for social justice to the people of diverse social origins.

Keshab Prasad Bhattarai: Bhattarai, who is the president of Teachers Association, laid emphasis on practice rather than the theories of social movement. Giving posts in a proportionate way too is not enough because it's the job description and strict monitoring and evaluation system which are essential to enhance level of social welfare, he said.

Kalpana Rijal: A participant from All Nepal Women's Association, Rijal presented examples of women's rights violation in various parts of the country due to structural inequality of our society, cultural discriminations and the ongoing conflicts between the government and the Maoists. Unless good culture replaces bad, this situation continues, she opined. Rijal also demanded legal provision for issuing citizenship certificate for people in the name of mother.

Rishi Ram Sapkota: A trade unionist, Sapkota dwelt upon the natural and cultural difference between men and women. Men cannot do some works and women cannot accomplish some works. This itself is an example of inequality. We can achieve equality if we understand this difference, he argued.

Bijul Kumar Biswokarma: A former MP (Nepali congress), Biswokarma found the topic quiet relevant. Politics dominates all issues, but politicians have conservative perception, which has stubbornly obstructed the process of social change, he said. Structure of political parties itself is not balanced in terms of community representation at the central, district and local committees, Biswokarma gave an example. He, therefore, argued for the development of new election system, which is capable of balancing power, population and political process in the country.

Mahendra Prasad Yadav: A representative of Trade Union Congress, Yadav pointed out the insincerity of the Nepalese political parties towards their own objectives. Many things would automatically be changed if they try to correct this mistake, he said. The other problem Yadav raised was the donor driven tendency in the country. Foreign aid should be need-specific rather than taking foreign aid in each and every area, creating a culture of dependency and losing choice in the formulation of public policies.

Norbu Ghale: Ghale, representing the federation of ethnic group and nationalities said, inequality and injustice are age-old social diseases. As a representative from Janajati Maha Sangh Ghale suggested to find out root-cause of the problem for fighting social injustices and offered the following solutions, such as inclusive democracy, proportional representation, federalization of the country, right to self-determination, conversion of Upper House of parliament into a House of Nationalities, etc.

Prem Lagani: Lagani, who hails from Jhapa, was not satisfied with the pace of reforms for Dalits. Religious inequality, which is still in practice, is an apt example for this, he said. He pleaded to end caste-based discrimination in the country as it restricts the social mobility of Dalits.

Kedar Joshi: A participant from Janakpur, Joshi called for eliminating discriminations practically through the reinforcement of law, proper incentive and disincentive system, and a system of penalization who commits offenses. Only theoretical arrangements to uplift Dalits are not enough, he stressed.

Bam Bahadur GC: GC says the programme is relevant, but time given to discuss it is not enough. Poverty is the root cause of all problems, so, participatory approach to economic development needs to be promoted for fighting it, he said. How can social movements take up the issues of poverty, inequality, powerlessness and a culture of silence, he questioned.

Sangita Paudel: A BA third year student of Tri-Chandra Campus, Paudel advised to discourage discriminations in the use of rights from the home itself. An effective socialization based on civic spirit alone can emancipate the people who are subordinated to the unjust structure of power.

Laxmi Dahal: A representative of Aviyan Nepal, Dahal demanded suitable laws to give citizenship certificate also in the name of mother.

After the comments, the paper writers furnished reply to queries raised by participants. Chief guest Narahari Acharya in his concluding remarks called for more discussions to modernize society politically and culturally and make the people the real stakeholders of democracy. Political parties in Nepal became weak because they left off the agenda of societal forces. He said, "democratization of public life requires deep penetration of social conscience into the life of political parties, the state and market forces."