DIGNITY REPORTER

KATHMANDU: A Nepali priest in Canada refused to conduct the naming ceremony of a Dalit newborn. The Dalit couple residing at Scarborough of Toronto were shocked by the caste-based discrimination against them. This incident has revealed the fact that untouchability practiced in Nepal has been spread throughout the world where Nepalis have reached.

The couple, however, is hesitant to make public the incident of caste-based discrimination. The issue came to the fore only after one of the friends of the victim Rashmi Kali Thapa posted in her Facebook account on October 10. 

“I’m distressed by the news from Scarborough. Some so-called Pandits have refused to conduct the naming ceremony of one of my Dalit friend saying it would be difficult for him to live in the society because he was a Dalit,” Thapa writes. “Go to some Indian Hindu temple or ask some other Pandits, I can’t do this.” Thapa has also stated that the Dalit couple are in tension with the development as they had not witnessed any such discrimination while in Nepal. 

Their first baby, according to Thapa was hospitalised due to some illness. In her Facebook status Thapa, who is also an active Non-Resident Nepali, has raised the issue of discrimination at the temples of Canada.  

“We still hear that the priests of Pashupatinath of Canada saying clean the utensils and put them at the corner of the room without touching other utensils,” Thapa writes. She says the priests and upper caste people behave in such a way that the Dalits worship the god from outside the temple. 

The news of the caste-based discrimination was first revealed by nepaltouch.com.