Police have arrested two priests of Sherakali Temple in Betali-3 on charge of misbehaving with a local Dalit. 

According to District Police Office, Bhim Bahadur Budhathoki and Chatra Bahadur Budhathoki, both priests at the temple, were taken into custody for misbehaving with Krishna Bahadur Bishwokarma for entering the temple. Bishwokarma was also forced to pay a fine of Rs 5,000.  

Police detained the priests after Bishwokarma lodged a complaint. 

“The priests are being investigated under caste-based discrimination and untouchability charge,” said DSP Kumodh Dhungel. 

Meanwhile, various Dalit rights organisations have the denounced the incident and demanded strong action against the perpetrators. They have also drawn the attention of government authorities, civil society and social organisations to the incident and urged them to discourage caste-based discrimination and untouchability. 

Dalits make up around 14 percent of total population of Nepal, according to the 2011 census. However, researchers and Dalit organisations say the number could be around 20 per cent.