Dimune Kami, 60, was abused based on his caste recently when he went to a tea shop operated by Talak Bahadur Pandey in Pathari Sanischare in Morang, according to a complaint filed by Kami at the Area Police Office in Pathari on October 14. 

Pandey and a few other customers belonging to the so-called high caste barred Kami from entering the shop and manhandled him in the process.

Following the incident, Kami filed a police complaint against the perpetrators for abusing him based on his caste. Caste-based discrimination in any form is a punishable offence, according to Caste-based Discrimination and Untouchability Act 2011.

Pandey denies Kami’s allegation. Moreover, he has accused Kami of racking up Rs 10,000 debt in his shop and not paying up. Pandey has filed a police complaint, appealing for recovery of the money that Kami owes him.

Based on the complaints, police have detained Kami, Pandey and the others for investigation.

But Kami’s arrest has riled the Dalit rights activists in Morang. They have claimed that Kami has been wrongfully charged and demanded for his unconditional release.

A delegation, led by Kuberman Ghatani, has submitted an application to Chief District Officer Suresh Sunar, demanding that the authorities concerned withdraw the case against Kami and launch a fair investigation into the case.

The Dalit rights activists have also demanded action against the police officers who detained Kami under a false charge.

Meanwhile, Sunar has promised to launch a fair investigation into the case.

“We are committed to finding out the truth,” he said. “If the cases were false, the accused individuals will be punished.”

According to the Caste-based Discrimination and Untouchability Act 2011, perpetrators of caste-based discrimination are liable to up to three years jail sentence and a fine up to Rs200,000 or both.