November polls fail to ensure fair representation of Dalits

The representation of Dalit community in the newly elected legislature—5.81 percent— is the lowest since the 2008 Constituent Assembly.

Deprived and underrepresented—this tale of Dalits in Nepal has been known for a long time. To rectify this historical marginalisation, the constitution of Nepal made a provision for a “proportional inclusion” of the community. “Dalits shall have the right to participate in all agencies of the state based on the principle of proportional inclusion,” reads the constitution’s Article 40 (1).