DHARAN, Dec 16: The National Dalit Commission has recommended legal action against Mayor Harka Raj Rai (Sampang) who insulted the Dalit community through social media (Facebook).

Devraj Biswakarma, chairman of the Commission, in a letter to the Ministry of Home Affairs, said that legal action has been recommended as he publicly expressed his views as if he is above the constitution and the laws. Mayor Sampang had posted a derogatory remark on Facebook page last Tuesday saying “Use your ‘Chamare’ intelligence, not power”. He was widely criticized for insulting the Dalit community of the Terai after this post was made public.

The National Dalit Commission also issued a statement soon after and asked Mayor Sampang to correct his statement and express self-criticism. However, Mayor Sampang, ignoring the request, continued to preach to the Dalit community and made public statements again as if he was above the constitution and the laws, the commission said, adding that legal action was recommended thereafter.

Commission Chairman Bishwakarma said that he had to recommend action as Mayor Sampang was not ready to apologize. He said, "We appealed for self-criticism, but in response found him saying ‘we are allowed to speak’." As the mayor showed no respect to the constitution, the law and international human rights, action was recommended against him as per the law.

According to Chairman Bishwakarma, the government is not under any compulsion to follow its recommendation though. He was hopeful that the government would take action against Mayor Sampang otherwise it would give the message that the government protects those who discriminate against others.

Meanwhile, three executive members of Dharan and one and a half dozen organizations also issued a joint press release and demanded action against Mayor Sampang. Legal action in accordance with the law has been demanded for violation of Sub-Clause 12 of Article 4 of Nepal's Caste-based Discrimination and Untouchability (Offence and Punishment) Act, 2068.

“A person occupying the position of the head of the local government has made an expression that is against the spirit of the constitution, prevailing values and international human rights, against the spirit of communalism and insulting a particular caste,” added the statement.

 
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