Lovett, JC and Pariyar, B (2016) Dalit identity in urban Pokhara, Nepal. Geoforum, 75. pp. 134-147. ISSN 0016-7185
Abstract
Urban migration by Nepalese Dalits has not only provided them with social, economic and educational opportunities, but also the possibility of escaping traditional caste-based discrimination. However, despite making the most of opportunities provided by the city, Dalits have not been able to pursue their political agenda to the extent of other ethnic communities. This study in the city of Pokhara, Nepal, explored Dalit identity using two rounds of focus group discussions involving a total of 23 individuals drawn from a range of Dalit caste groups with a variety of livelihoods. The results describe the caste-based discrimination experienced by the participants and the different strategies they employ to either reinvent themselves by changing names; or embracing their caste-heritage and taking advantage of affirmative action programmes. Whilst urban migration can provide some relief from discrimination, the study reveals that caste still remains prominent in the lives of Dalits in Pokhara. The paper argues that Dalit unity and elimination of intra-Dalit caste-based discrimination are needed in order to institutionalise their citizenship rights in post conflict Nepal.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © The Authors, 2016. Licensed under the Creative Commons 4.0 International https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ |
Keywords: | Dalits; Ethnicity; Urban geography; Rural urban migration; Nepal |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Environment (Leeds) > School of Geography (Leeds) |
Funding Information: | Funder Grant number ESRC ES/K011812/1 |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 28 Jul 2016 12:24 |
Last Modified: | 17 Jan 2018 08:24 |
Published Version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.geoforum.2016.07.006 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Elsevier |
Identification Number: | 10.1016/j.geoforum.2016.07.006 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:102969 |