Marriage is a natural right of a citizen. Depriving such people who are eligible for marriage legally age is a violation of their natural rights. But in Nepali society, marriage is higly influenced by caste-based system. However, marriages between Dalits and non-Dalits are increasing. To encourage intercaste marriages, the government has decided to provide a subsidy of one lakh to Barbadhu within 30 years of marriage registration at the District Administration Office. At the request of office Morang, the Ministry of Home Affairs made the guidelines as per which the distribution of incentives to inter-caste married couples under the guidelines has started from Morang district. After the Resource Development Forum for Human Rights (REDEF Nepal) took the initiative in partnership with Action Aid Nepal and provided incentive funds, now the number of people registering applications at the District Administration Office in Morang has increased and some have even received relief.
During efforts of REDEF Nepal, it conducted a campaign to raise awareness about the inter-caste marriage incentive and also advocated for them to get the money. Follwoing are the response after receiving the amount:
“I came to Biratnagar for employment. My house is in Thimi Municipality 15, Bhaktapur. Civilized and educated people live in the city. I am very familiar with the differences between Kathmandu and the valley. Thinking that my family would not accept an inter-caste marriage with a Dalit, I married Pooja Das Khatve, a resident of Biratnagar on 15th February 2066. During his stay in Biratnagar, we turned the love fo one another into marriage. Both of us want to become role models for social change. After hearing the news that an inter-caste married couple had applied to the District Administration Office, we also went to apply. The contact numbers of Devendra Koirala, President of Nepal Bar Association and Umesh Bishwakarma, President of Resource Development Forum for Human Rights (REDEF) were obtained from the accounts branch of the District Administration Office.
You have to go through a lot of hassles to apply. REDEF helped us a lot. With the help of the Centre, on 18th June 2067, Umesh sir called us after understanding the check of one lakh in Machhapuchhre Bank. Puja is preparing to start a shop with this amount. I have not been able to bring Pooja inside the house. After receiving this amount, it has been felt that we have got a great relief for living. We set an example to the society by getting married, knowing very well that when marrying inter-caste, one has to be evicted from the village, one has to stay away from the love of one's relatives like a displaced person. Although we are not in a position to help our relatives, we have received relief for earning a living. REDEF Nepal, which provides the necessary support in this process, has brought us an unforgettable experience. Even now we are in contact with REDEF Nepal. We also want to play a role in the Dalit movement. We expect similar support in the future.”
— Prakash Adhikari and Pooja Das Khatve, an inter-caste couple from Biratnagar 15
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