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Social Justice and Dalits in South Asia | A Roundtable Discussion | Oct 7, 2014

Across the globe, an estimated 260 million people are relegated to a lifetime of segregation, exploitation, and extreme forms of physical and psychological abuse, all because of the caste into which they are born. In much of South Asia, caste-based divisions dominate in housing, marriage, and general social interaction—divisions that are often reinforced through the threat of social ostracism, economic boycotts, and even physical violence. The effective eradication of caste-based discrimination remains a major human rights challenge of our time. -Learn about the social and political obstacles faced by Dalit communities (formerly known as “untouchables”) in Nepal and India -Engage with scholars, media producers and activists who have brought awareness to issues concerning Dalits through traditional and social media outlets -Develop tips and tools you can use for your own research and social activism initiatives Some of the questions this event explores: What skills/lessons can Dalit and American students, scholars and activists learn from each other? How do experiences of marginalization and /or oppression compare in different countries? How have social justice organizations use the law, media and education as tools to raise awareness and create change? Prominent academics, media producers and social activists will participate in a roundtable discussion. Our guests will include: Smita Narula: currently a visiting Research Scholar at Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute at Hunter College and former U.N. legal adviser to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food and Faculty Director at the Center for Human Rights and Global Justice at NYU School of Law. She has been working in human rights for more than 17 years. In both her scholarship and her practice, Narula has focused on the rights to equality and non-discrimination; economic and social rights; and the impact of economic globalization and counter-terrorism policies on human rights. She has authored numerous reports and academic articles on these subjects, and has helped formulate policy, legal, and community-led responses to these issues worldwide. Sarita Pariyar: a graduate student of sociology at Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu, where she also received her bachelor’s degree in journalism and English literature. She is an emerging social justice leader and serves as a board member of the Samata Foundation, a respected think-tank that works for the rights and dignity of Dalits in Nepal. In addition, she is involved with several activist groups in Nepal and regularly participates in various forums for social justice, democracy, and media within and outside of Nepal. Padam Sundas: a social worker from a Dalit community who has been working for the upliftment of the Dalit community and for Human Rights for over 40 years through intellectual writings and knowledge production. A founding member and the executive chairperson of SAMATA foundation and the Asian Dalit Rights Forum, the only Dalit centric research center and think tank in Nepal. He also served as a member of the National-Level Advisory Committee under the Office of Prime Minister for the Eradication of Caste Based Discriminations and Promotion of Dalit Rights. Rem Bishwokarma: co-founded Jagaran Media Center (JMC) to lead media advocacy against caste-based discrimination and untouchability. JMC produced the popular television series called Dalan that raised awareness on Dalit issues. JMC has established itself as a media hub on Dalit issues, inclusion and social justice in Nepal and abroad. He was awarded the Australian Leadership Award in 2010, Media International Social Awareness Award in 2013 and Ambedkar Kalashree National Award in 2013. Each participant will speak for ten minutes on their personal work and experience. Afterwards, broader discussion on Dalits and social justice will be opened up and moderated by Smita Narula. For more information about the India China Institute please visit: http://www.indiachinainstitute.org

• published: 09 Oct 2014
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