Sushila Badi, a member of Nepal’s highly marginalised Badi community, has risen through adversity to become a lawmaker in the Lumbini Provincial Assembly.
Born in Dang, Sushila enrolled in school at the age of nine. However, her parents struggled to afford essential supplies such as notebooks, pens, school bags, and uniforms. She faced discrimination and humiliation in the classroom simply because of her Badi identity. Despite these challenges, she persevered and continued her education until eighth grade. At 17, her parents arranged her marriage, but she convinced her husband and family to support her education.
Alongside her studies, Sushila developed an interest in politics. After her marriage, she settled in Nepalgunj’s Ward No. 6, Phultegra, in 2003 and joined the Nepal Dalit Association, the sister organisation of the Nepali Congress, in 2008. She steadily rose through party ranks, serving as ward president of the Dalit Association and later being elected as a district committee member of the Nepali Congress in 2021.
After being elected as a district committee member, Sushila aimed for the position of deputy mayor in Nepalgunj but was unsuccessful. She also sought a position as a municipal executive member, but her attempts were unsuccessful.
Undeterred, she continued her political journey while working as a social mobiliser for the NGO Committee Nepal, advocating for the Badi community in Banke and Bardiya districts. In the 2022 provincial and federal elections, the Nepali Congress nominated her as a proportional representation candidate from the minority Dalit community for the Lumbini Provincial Assembly.
Though she had little expectation of being elected, Sushila secured a seat, becoming a rare representative of the highly marginalised Badi community in the provincial legislature. At a time when many proportional representation seats are criticised for being allocated to party elites and relatives of politicians, her election highlights the constitutional provision ensuring representation for marginalised communities like the Badis.
Having long fought for the rights of her community on the streets and in social forums, Sushila now advocates for policy changes within the legislature. “Now, I raise my voice in parliament and actively contribute to lawmaking,” she says.
Sushila is committed to ending social discrimination and ensuring a dignified life for the Badi and other Dalit communities. She proudly notes that the Lumbini Provincial Civil Service Act 2023 has allocated five per cent reservations for marginalised, gender, and sexual minorities. Additionally, she has persistently lobbied for reservations in local government services, advocating for a three per cent quota for marginalised groups and one per cent for gender and sexual minorities. She considers this legal achievement a major success.
At 39, Sushila initially found it challenging to speak in the provincial assembly but has since gained confidence. Despite the assembly’s focus on power struggles, she consistently raises issues affecting her community, drawing attention by speaking from the legislative podium.
The Badi community in Nepal numbers around 40,000, with approximately 8,000 residing in Lumbini Province. Many still depend on fishing, performing arts, and daily wage labour for survival. While some Badi children complete their secondary education, poverty and lack of opportunities prevent them from pursuing higher studies.
Although Nepal’s constitution prohibits discrimination against indigenous, minority, and Dalit communities, social prejudice persists. Sushila is among the few who have risen from such circumstances to political leadership.
Her husband, Prakash Nepali, is a rights activist working for Badi community welfare in Dang, Banke, Surkhet, and Dailekh districts. Over time, awareness campaigns and protests have led to significant progress, though challenges remain.
In 2008, the Nepali government declared the Badi community free from sex work. While prostitution has largely declined, societal biases persist. Sushila is determined to use her legislative role to end systemic discrimination and enforce laws benefiting marginalised groups.
Historically, the Badi people were court performers for kings and landlords. As their traditional profession faded, they struggled for identity and recognition. Today, constitutional provisions offer reservations to uplift them.
Despite past neglect, the Badi community now looks to Sushila for leadership and concrete change. Following Nepal’s armed conflict and peace process, Badis demanded government support, leading to land and housing allocations. While many have adopted new livelihoods, social stigma remains.
As a lawmaker, Sushila is committed to breaking these barriers, advocating for education, citizenship rights, and land ownership for her community. “I have risen from the bottom of society to reach parliament. I will work tirelessly for the welfare of my people,” she says.
However, she expresses concerns about discrimination in budget allocations. While directly elected lawmakers receive Rs 22.5 million, proportional representation lawmakers like her receive only Rs 10 million.
Many Badi children still lack access to education, and others struggle to obtain citizenship due to unclear parental status. Sushila aims to ensure educational opportunities, citizenship rights, and land ownership for landless Badi families.
“I have come from the grassroots to the legislature,” she says. “As long as I can, I will work without discrimination for the welfare of my community.”
