We, Nepali graduate students, post-doctoral scholars, and faculties studying and teaching in universities abroad, strongly condemn recent caste killings, rapes, and death in police custody in Nepal. We affirm our solidarity with the movement to protect Dalit lives from caste-based violence. We mourn the loss of Nabaraj BK, Tikaram Sunar, Angira Pasi, Shambhu Sada, Raju Sada, and so many other Dalits. These killings, rapes, and deaths are just the tip of the iceberg. They indicate how casteism is deeply seated in Nepali society and institutions. However, the victims of caste violence in Nepal rarely get justice. Caste-based power structures have permitted police and judiciary to oppress Dalit communities, and as part of academic communities, we must highlight and seek to address the systemic oppression and structural violence upon which our society is built. We call upon the government, NGO/INGOs, donor agencies, political parties, and private enterprises to work towards the eradication of anti-Dalit casteism in Nepal. We also recognize that academia is often a site of symbolic violence and complacency where we occupy a position of privilege and power. We take this moment to acknowledge this and reaffirm our commitment to be better allies.

We would like to amplify the demands of Dalit movement made via #DalitLivesMatterNepal community by reiterating them here: 

1. We urge the relevant national authorities and the international human rights community to conduct an impartial investigation of the Rukum Killings and demand rapid response with utmost transparency from the committee. 
2. We demand a full protection mechanism for the family of the killed who is bound to live in constant fear. 
3. We demand justice, rule of law, respect for human rights, and most importantly, the effective implementation of the Caste-based Discrimination and Untouchability (Offense & Punishment) Act 2011. 

Dalits and their non-Dalit allies continue to come out on the streets of Kathmandu, Kirtipur, Janakpur, Jajarkot, and other parts of Nepal to protest against caste-based violence and oppression. Despite Nepal’s recent legal commitment to redress caste-based hierarchies and inequalities as first codified in the Nyayavikasini (1379 AD) and then further institutionalized all over the country through the Muluki Ain (1854 AD), caste-based discrimination, violence, and generational trauma continue to operate in a systemic manner in all spheres of our society. Under the garb of the slogan of bikas and samriddhi, present cisgender hill brahmin nationalism and patriarchy perpetuate the traditional authority of the upper caste men and reassert their Brahminical hegemony. This savarna supremacy continues to undermine social ethics, morality, and public opinion while ungender-ing and exploiting Dalit bodies, and criminalizing Dalit love, labor, and futures. 

Apart from rampant landlessness, unemployment, illiteracy, and forced sexual-labor and sexual-violence, the murder of at least 25 Dalits since 2011 for inter-caste marriage and other reasons based on caste reproduces caste violence. Racial and caste-based discrimination are pervasive, and Brahminical terror further highlights how discriminatory and unjust attitudes and behaviors are entrenched in our social, political, legal, and economic structures. Prioritization and legal protection of Brahminical ethics, economy, and order via Hindu jurisprudence have, undoubtedly, attempted to hinder and silence the Dalit Lives movement while trying to create divisions amongst Dalits. Furthermore, the current COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected Dalit communities. Under these conditions, we are clear that Dalit imagination, dignity, and aspirations are at greater risk.  

Standing against racial and caste discrimination and injustice is imperative for everyone. We maintain no-doubts whatsoever that the annihilation of caste is essential for any plausible vision and application of democracy. Therefore, in the spirit of the Sanyukta Dalit Sangharsa Samiti (United Dalit Struggle Committee), Dalit Nagrik Samaj (Dalit Civil Society), Shambhu Sada Nyayik Sangharsa Samiti’s (Shambhu Sada Justice Struggle Committee) call for “justice to the victims of caste violence and rapes,” we now call on you, the government, Nepali schools, universities and academics to do what is right and pave the way towards the liberation of everyone from caste, class and gender exploitation and oppression. 

#SayTheirNames #DalitLivesMatter 

Man Bir Sunar, Kalikot, 2068 

Shiva Shankar Das, Saptari, 2068 

Sete Damai, Dailekh, 2068 

Rambahadur Sarki, Bardiya, 2069 

Kumar Nepali, Rasuwa, 2069 

Jhuma BK, Taplejung, 2070 

Sangita Pariyar, Tanahu, 2070 

Rajesh Nepali, Parwat, 2071 

Asmita Sarki, Jhapa, 2073 

Laxmi Pariyar, Kavre, 2073 

Ajit Mijar, Kavre, 2073 

Maya Tiruwa, Sindhupalchowk, 2073 

Tulu Sarki, Rasuwa, 2074 

Dev Bahadur Bishwakarma, Dang, 2074 

Dipshila Pariyar, Chitwan, 2074 

Dipika Pariyar, Chitwan, 2074 

Sharmila Bishwakarma, Bhojpur, 2074 

Mana Sarki, Kalikot, 2074 

Sawita Nepali, Arghakhanchi, 2075 

Shreya Sunar, Kaski, 2075 

Mana Sarki, Kalikot, 2075 

Rupmati Kumari Das, Morang, 2075 

Ditiya Resma Rasaili, Dhanusa, 2075 

Maya BK, Kailali, 2075 

Sabita Pariyar, 2076, Baglung 

Angira Pasi, Rupandehi, 2077 

Tikaram Nepali, Rukum, 2077 

Nabaraj BK, Jajjarkot, 2077 

Lokendra Sunar, 18, Bheri Municipality, Jajarkot, 2077 

Sandeep BK, 23, Bheri Municipality, 2077 

Rajesh Risidev Sada, Biratnagar, 2077

Roshan Ram, Lahan, 2077

Tribhuvan Ram, Saptari, 2077

And many whose names remain unknown… 

In Solidarity, 

Adeeti Khatri, University of Sydney, Australia

Amar BK, University of Pittsburgh, USA

Avash Bhandari, University of Illinois at Chicago, USA

Deepak Rauniyar, Hunter College, the City University of New York, USA

Dipti Sherchan, University of Illinois at Chicago, USA

Kalpana Jha, Univeristy of Delhi, India

Kripa Dangol, CU Boulder, USA

Gagan Atreya, Univeristy of Minnesota, USA

Nabina Sharma, Laurentian University, USA

Nigam Bhandari, New York University, USA

Phurwa Dhondup, University of Colorado Boulder, USA

Prakash Jha, Freelancer, USA

Pushpa Hamal, University of Toronto, Canada

Ram Kumar Bhandari, NOVA University of Lisbon, Portugal

Rupak Shrestha, University of Colorado Boulder, USA

Samikshya Siwakoti, Columbia University, USA

Saluja Siwakoti, Colorado College, USA

Sauharda Rai, University of Washington, USA

Subin Mulmi, Freelancer, Nepal 

Siddhartha Baral, University of California, USA

Tashi Gurung, Arizona State University, USA

Tashi Tewa, Washington University in Saint Louis, USA

Trishala Giri, Western Sydney University, Australia