The dominance of Hindu religion in the past was responsible for the emergenceof
a caste-based hierarchy, where illiteracy, poverty, and political
underrepresentation have played a significant role in the continuation of the castebased
divisions in Nepalese society. In the caste hierarchy, Dalits - often
identified as lower castes and untouchables - were kept at the bottom of the social
structure, and this has perpetuated individual, institutional and structural
discriminations in Nepal, for example untouchability at public/private sectors,
adverse inter-caste marriage consequences, labour and job segregation, and
exclusion from socio-economic and political opportunities. Consequently,
Dalitshave been experiencing difficulty in living a dignified life as defined by
international and national human rights conventions.