Dalits living at southern VDCs in Parvat—Pakhapani, Beulibash, Saraukhola, Huwas and Bhorle—no longer eat animal corpses that they had been doing since time immemorial.
The change was possible after children took initiatives. Self-Struggle Child Group, an active local organization of children based at Huwas VDC, spread awareness among Dalits against eating animal corpses.
Of the 14 Dalit families at Huwas, hardly two eat animal carcasses, said Jaumaya Hitan, chairperson of the group. We punish those found eating the dead bodies of animals, she said.
"Not only in Huwas, Dalits of other VDCs have also quit the tradition of consuming animal carcasses."
There are more changes. The once dirty Dalit settlements have become clean now and Dalit husbands, who used to drink alcohol, have given up drinking.
"Dalit villages boast of clean environment. Equally, peace prevails here," said Surya Thapa, another member of the child group.
Those, who drank like sailors and showed non-cooperative attitudes in the past, have been working with their families in unison quitting alcohol, she added.
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