Representation of Dalit Identity Crisis in Selected Nepali Newspaper Articles

Abstract

This research attempts to explore the lapses of media representation of Dalit identity crisis from the theoretical perspective of Subaltern Studies. This research critically examines Dalit news and articles in national dailies; The Kathmandu Post and The Rising Nepal of 2015. The hollow representation of Dalit issue seems insufficient to fight against caste based discrimination and untouchability. Steven Folmer’s theory befits here, where problem of Dalit identity is taken similar to the identity problem of other social group which is not appropriate for actual representation. This research also contributes to unveil how the state and private media represent Dalit issue in the print media. The ideology of The Rising Nepal seems to serve and become the manifesto of the government and The Kathmandu Post is helping the elite to collect the capital. These print media thus fail to cover the issue regarding Dalits. Thus the issue of Dalit does not get sufficient space even in the republican period of New Nepal. With the help of articles, news and editorials, the research proves that the print media have simply generalized the different marginalized communities all together and turned back to the genuine issue of subaltern people like Dalits. Thus print media should cover the issue of Dalits from different perspective than that of other ethnic minorities.