Socio-Economic Upliftment of Dalit Community and its Impact on Untouchability: A Case Study of Dalit Community in Khoplang VDC, Gorkha, Nepal

Abstract

The study explores the relationship between the Dalit community and untouchability, that way that is affected by the socio economic upliftment of Dalit community. The community people were highly suppressed and discriminate and were far behind in the mainstream of development of nation. They were considered as untouchables and became poor and poor. The rapid change in the political system after the Rana regime, the government had started the equal rights to all the people. After that they were aware of their right and started to active participation in socio economic and political activities. The Dalit community (Sarki, Kami, Damai ) mainly depend upon the traditional occupation like leather ,metal, sewing clothes and working in the field of higher caste people like Brahmin, Chhetri etc. in Khoplang VDC, Gorkha. The youth of Dalit community are mostly work in foreign countries like Dubai, Qatar, Malaysia, Japan, India etc. which help them for their economic development .About the total population 64 households with population of 395 in research study, about 21 youths are outside the Nepal as working visa. In addition, the 15 youths are working in government service as teacher, army, police and other organization. The other young, adults are continuing their traditional occupation. The engagement of youths and increase in the income source helps the upliftment of living standard of Dalit people. The changing system in education ,health, occupation ,political environment , modern technology make them able to discuss, participate and decide what is right and what is wrong . These activities change the life of Dalit people. The socio economic upliftment has the positive impact on the reduction of untouchibility in the society. Though the government has already abolished this system but the practice of untouchability has been seen in the society. The behavior towards the Dalit people is not too rigid that was in the past. The socio economic and political development changes the concept of untouchability and most of the youths of Dalit and other community do not considered the untouchability among their group like in schools, college, hotel, restaurant. But the old generation people of higher castes still practice the untouchability just like not eating food, not drinks water touched by the Dalits. They also do not support to eradicate this system. The inter-caste marriage, entrance of Dalit to the non-Dalit's house, touching their food in their kitchen are still the place of untouchability existing. There is also the difference to treat the Dalit people by the other people in the community. The higher the socio economic status lesser the untouchability and suppression .The poor Dalit are not treated well as the high standard Dalit in the community. Also the intra Dalit untouchability is existing in the society which lag them away from the development. Because of many political changes, socio economic development and awareness in the society and individual, the untouchabilty process is drastically changed than the past. Many of the government bodies, NGO/INGO, youths of the community are also played the supporting role for the reduction of this system and developed the theme called that all we humans are equal.