Ram Chandra Paudel Says Laws Alone Won't End Caste Discrimination in Nepal

President Ram Chandra Paudel has used the National Day for the Abolition of Caste-Based Discrimination and Untouchability to send a pointed message: legal bans matter, but they are not enough on their own. In his best-wishes message, he urged Nepalis to pair law with social awareness, mutual respect, and collective effort to eliminate deeply rooted discriminatory practices.

The president said caste-based discrimination is a crime against social, moral, and human dignity, and called for stronger national unity built on equality. He also appealed to people across society, including families, government bodies, political parties, civil society, journalists, and organizations, to stay sensitive to untouchability and discrimination.

A reminder that the problem is social, not just legal

Paudel’s message highlighted a reality that many governments face: passing laws is only the first step. He stressed that positive changes in thinking, customs, behavior, and social practice are necessary if Nepal is to truly reduce caste-based exclusion and make its democratic system meaningful.

That framing matters because discrimination often survives long after official policies change. The president’s remarks positioned awareness, harmony, and cooperation as the missing ingredients that can turn constitutional rights into everyday reality.

Why this day matters in Nepal

The National Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and Untouchability is observed every year on Jestha 21, marking the anniversary of Nepal being declared a caste discrimination-free nation in 2063 BS. The day is typically used for public awareness efforts and calls for social reform.

Nepal’s constitution also recognizes protection against untouchability and discrimination as a fundamental right, underscoring that the issue is both a legal and social priority. The president’s message reflects that dual reality: rights on paper need broad public support to become lived practice.

A broader push for equality

Paudel wished happiness, peace, and prosperity to Nepalis at home and abroad, while urging the country to become a cultured and equality-based society free from discrimination. His message also emphasized that collective action across all levels of society is needed to strengthen unity and reduce division.

The takeaway from this year’s observance is clear: Nepal’s fight against caste discrimination is not finished, and it will not be solved by law alone. It will take sustained social pressure, public awareness, and a shared commitment to dignity and equality for all.