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The house-visit phase of the 12th national census has just concluded and by now all the requisite data must be in. The census staffs had visited people's homes, asking for their names, castes, religions, sex, etc. On the other hand, some Dalit activists and atheists have been vociferously expressing their dissatisfaction with the whole process. Dalit religious activists are saying that the Dalits should not have had to select ‘Hindu’ as their religion as they believe Hinduism is the main cause of their discrimination. Likewise, the atheists are asking: why couldn’t they say they believe in no god at all?

On the basis of the census tabulations, the state will come up with various plans, policies and programs to lift the status of certain groups. Moreover, census figures will be used to gauge the rise and fall in the number of adherents of certain religions. Expect some drastic changes in the religious mix.

This time, the census will show a higher number of Christians and a lower number of Hindus. But why has the number of Hindus gone down? The Hindu extremists may even accuse others, mainly Christian missionaries. But they will not analyze themselves, not see how they have discriminated against other human beings on caste basis. They will continue to ignore the demand for Dalit religious rights. The ignorance and insult of high-caste Hindus is a major factor making many Dalits change their religion. This is why the number of Hindu adherents may be down when the results of the census are published.

The Hindu extremists have never considered that the Sudras also belong to Hindu religion, and have similar castes, cultures and traditions. This has made many Dalits adopt Christianity so that they are treated as equals, both religiously and culturally. In Christianity there is no hierarchal discrimination. Everybody is equal and anybody can be a church pastor. That’s why it attracts Dalits and ethnic tribes.

Also read: Opinion | Alternative politics: Is there still hope? 

According to the new Christian Dalits, changing religion was a kind of rebellion against Hindu rites and rituals that traditionally discriminated against them in social, cultural and religious spheres. The Dalits are barred from entering temples and the so-called high castes refuse to have family relations with them. Moreover, Dalits are often mistreated, manhandled and even killed by so-called high caste Hindus. Many Dalits say they won’t have to face such discriminations in Christianity. Moreover, some Dalits argue, why follow a religion where beasts are loved and worshipped while many fellow human beings are insulted?

The encroachment of a foreign religion is a big challenge and threat to native Hindus. Day by day, more and more people, especially Dalits, are attracted by other religions that respect them. Just see the number of churches that have sprung up in places like Jumla and Kalikot, never mind in the more developed urban centers.

In India Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar converted many Hindu Dalits into Buddhism. Similarly, in South India, many Dalits changed their religion and adopted Christianity en masse. Nepali Dalits may decide to take a leaf out of their books.

If the current trend of systemic discrimination does not stop, there could soon be a drastic reduction in the number of Hindu adherents, with the exit of those who have otherwise been following Hinduism for ages. If Hindus are serious about protecting their religion, the first thing they need to do is respect the rule of law. For that they have to take legal action against those who practice caste-based discrimination. Second, they should adopt progressive policies to make the society a more even playing field. Likewise, the radical Hindus should deconstruct the discriminatory social norms and values, and they must introspect: What is making so many Dalits change their native religion?

After the Rukum massacre, which resulted in the lynching of six Dalit youths, caste-related questions are again getting space in our public forums. Literates, illiterates, scholars, youths, old-age people, everyone is debating them. This is good as it will help more people know about the society’s bitter reality.

Following the killings of Navaraj BK and his friends in Rukum, I conducted a small survey of around 150 college-going youths to find out their views on caste. All seven provinces were represented. They responded via email, Facebook messenger, and Viber. I asked each: ‘What is caste?’, and ‘Are you going to have an inter-caste marriage’ (as BK wanted to do)? To the first question, the majority said caste was an artificial construct and that all men and women are equal. The second question, however, seemed to confuse them. They didn't answer spontaneously.

After a few minutes they said they would not go against their parents’ wishes. In addition, they would by themselves opt for intra-caste marriages over inter-caste ones. Now we can see the real face of our youth. They say all humans are equal and yet they are reluctant to marry out of their caste. They would rather happily stick to their old castes, creeds, and traditions.

Dalits and non-Dalits may be boyfriends and girlfriends, but when it comes to marriage, it’s still a no-no. This is the thought process of our revolutionary youths. It indicates a big gulf between their words and action; it is easy to lecture but difficult to practice what you preach. Rather hypocritically, our youths are simply not interested in fighting a noble cause they supposedly believe in.

Generally, the introductions in our society start with first name, and end with caste and clan. People love this process, as others are quickly categorized as mama, dai, bandhu, or whatever their caste conventions dictate. In Hindu, society caste is your primary identity.

It doesn’t matter whether you are educated or not. Most people continue to deeply identify with their castes. Even our prime minister is obsessed with his caste. That’s why he appends two high-caste surnames to his name. Apparently, the communists have no religion, but clearly not here in Nepal. They give speeches on casteism as a debased system and yet they continue to practice it. The prime culprit of the Rukum massacre is also a communist.

Renowned scholars have written many poems, stories, novels and books on social equality and cultural emancipation. In the western world, James Baldwin has done a lot to champion the cause of Black folks. Similarly, in Nepal the great poet Laxmi Prasad Devkota wrote about caste in his play “Muna Madan”, where he says people become great through their deeds and not through their castes. But who listens to wise men like him?

Everybody in Nepal read this play during their school college and university days. They even wrote long essays on it, denouncing the caste system, in their exams. But, again, very few of them would have practiced what they wrote.

Sadly, our people, society and our lifestyle in Nepal continues to be dominated by a caste-based thinking to a large extent, hollowing out the concept of common humanity we all like to espouse. The Hindu Varna system divides people. As a result, even though all of us are made of the same flesh and blood, we continue to be arbitrarily labelled and discriminated against. Nor, as we see, is this kind of outdated casteist thinking limited to old folks. Today’s youths are as infected by it.