She had just left her friend’s house when she realized she had forgotten something. Turning back, she arrived at the doorstep only to witness a painful sight. Her friend, the very person who had welcomed her minutes ago, was now sprinkling water over the areas she had touched. A silent but clear message: she had polluted the space in her house.
This is not a story from a rural village; it happened in Pokhara, a city that claims to be modern, progressive, and developed. Not only that, it is the capital of tourism. The belief that caste discrimination exists only in villages among the uneducated is a lie. In fact, caste-based discrimination has adapted and taken new forms in cities. This contrasts with many non-Dalits’ belief that there is no discrimination in cities and that it is a thing of the past.
The disguised prejudice of the educated
Many people claim that caste discrimination no longer exists in urban areas. But the truth is, it has simply taken new forms. What dominates the social media landscape? It is not words that reflect genuine reality or appreciation of the fact that discrimination exists. Instead, words of caste hatred, prejudice, disparagement and insults color the landscape. A quick glance at social media shows how even educated people oppose affirmative action for Dalits, arguing, “Why do Dalits need reservations? Everyone is equal now.”
But equality is an illusion when discrimination is still deeply embedded in society.
Dalits, educated or undereducated, both face daily humiliation. Sita BK (name changed), a professional working in an established organization, often hears, “You don’t look like a Dalit.” But what does a Dalit look like? Is caste supposed to be written on someone’s face?
Rental housing: caste-ridden market
For Dalits, finding a place to live in a city is not just difficult, it is utterly humiliating. Landlords do not openly say, “I don’t rent to Dalits.” Instead, they make excuses: “My parents won’t allow it,” or “I just rented it out to someone else.”
Many Dalits are compelled to hide their identity to rent a place to stay. I have met a Pariyar man who has been renting under a false Brahmin surname for ten years, living in fear that his landlord will one day find out and throw him out. One young girl shared her experience of facing discrimination while renting a house in Pokhara, even in a Christian household. These are not isolated examples faced by Dalits. They are more common than anyone might guess.
Not long ago the case of Rupa Sunar, who was denied a rental home because of her caste, made national headlines. But this is not a rare incident. Other Dalits, like Dipa Nepali, Karuna Bishwokarma, and Aayush Pariyar, have also had to seek legal intervention for their right to housing in the rental market.
Many Dalits just keep silent because they don’t want to breach so-called social harmony.
According to Article 24 of Nepal’s Constitution, caste-based discrimination and untouchability are illegal. The Caste-Based Discrimination and Untouchability (Offense and Punishment) Act, 2011 makes it a crime to deny someone housing based on their caste. Yet, the law is rarely enforced, and Dalits continue to face exclusions.
Workplace discrimination: the unspoken rejection
Even in employment, discrimination is common. Many hotels refuse to hire Dalits as chefs, fearing that non-Dalit customers will refuse to eat food prepared by them. Some restaurants won’t even allow Dalits to train as interns. Many government offices and NGOs themselves do not hire Dalits as office helpers. If a Dalit opens a business, non-Dalit customers often avoid it.
Despite being well-educated and hardworking, Dalits are often accused of benefiting unfairly from the reservation system. Some even claim that Dalits are taking jobs away from “more deserving” people. However, studies, like the one published by Ramesh Sunam et al. (2022), note that Dalits recruited through affirmative action are meritocratically qualified, arguing affirmative action enriches meritocracy rather than weakening it.
Caste in global cities
Discrimination does not stop at Nepal’s borders. Even within the Nepali diaspora, caste-based prejudice continues. In San Francisco, a silent protest was held to raise awareness about caste discrimination among Nepalis abroad. In South Korea, a Nepali man wearing a traditional Dhaka topi was mocked: “Don’t wear that, you look like a Damai.”
This shows how deeply ingrained caste biases remain, even in foreign lands. Dalit students in the USA and Australia have shared their experiences of facing discrimination based on caste. California’s legislature has approved a bill banning caste discrimination in 2023, validating the existence of caste discrimination beyond South Asia. Discrimination so widespread in South Asia has traveled worldwide.
The changing face of discrimination
Non-Dalits often say, “We do not discriminate anymore.” But discrimination has not ended—it has changed form. In the past, Dalits were not allowed to touch public water taps. Now, they can collect water, but only after non-Dalits. Previously, non-Dalits refused to eat with Dalits. Now, they simply claim they are not hungry.
Urbanization is supposed to bring progress, but caste hatred and prejudice remain. Cities have grown, but mindsets have not changed at the same pace. Discrimination has not disappeared—it has evolved.
The need for real change
The Constitution of Nepal guarantees the right to live with dignity under Article 16. But how can Dalits live with dignity if they must hide their identity just to find a home or a job?
The National Penal Code (2017) also criminalizes caste-based discrimination, but without proper enforcement, the law has largely remained just words on the paper.
The struggle against caste discrimination is not just a Dalit issue, it is a human issue. If Nepal and the world truly aspire to be modern and progressive, it must go beyond the mega infrastructure and economic growth.
Social progress should also be measured, taking into account changes in how people think and treat each other. Until caste-based discrimination is completely erased, development will remain incomplete.
