Dalit is the term used to identify the group of people who are unlawfully being considered lower class or untouchable. They account almost 3 million or 12. 82 % of total population of Nepal.
Nepal Government defines Dalits as :- “Castes and communities which are suffering racial discrimination and considered untouchable according to ‘Hindu caste system’ and ‘Muluki Ain 1910 B.S.’ (old penal code of Nepal) and who are backward from mainstream on social, economic, political, educational and religious terms.”
“हिन्दू वर्णा श्रम जाति व्यवस्था, वि.सं. १९१० को मुलुकी ऐनबाट पानी नचल्ने र छोइछिटो हाल्नु पर्ने जातजाति भनी जातीय भेदभाव एवं समाजमा अछुत मानिएका र सामाजिक, आर्थिक, राजनैतिक, शैक्षिक तथा धार्मिकरुपमा राज्यको मूलप्रवाहबाट पछाडि पारिएका जातजातिका समुदायलाई दलित वर्ग भनी परिभाषित गरिएको छ।”
In Nepal, Dalits are categorized as Pahadi Dallit (Hill dalit) and Tarai Dalit. This is the list of surnames considered as Dalit by Government of Nepal.
A) Hill Dalit ( पहाडे मूल )
1. Bishwokarma (Kami, Lohar, Sunar, Od, Chunanra, Parki, Tamata)
विश्वकर्मा (कामी, लोहार, सुनार, ओड, चुनँरा, पार्की, टमटा)
People traditionally involved in iron related works.
2011 population: 12,58,554 (4.75%)
2. Pariyar (Damai, Dargee, Suchikar, Nagarchee, Dholee, Hudke)
परियार (दमाई, दर्जी, सुचिकार, नगर्ची, ढोली, हुड्के)
People traditionally involved in tailoring business.
2011 population: 472,862 (1.78%)
3. Mijar (Sarki, Charmakar, Bhool)
मिजार – (सार्की, चर्मकार, भूल)
People traditionally involved in leather, shoe related works.
2011 population: 374,816 (1.41%)
4. Badi (बादी)
2011 population : 38,603
5. Gandharba (Gaine) गर्न्धर्व (गाइने)
People involved in traditional music sector.
2011 population: 6,791
6. Pode (Deula,Pujari,Jalari)
पोडे (देउला, पूजारी, जलारी)
People belong to Newar racial group
7. Chyame (Kuchikar,Chyamkhal)
च्यामे (कुचीकार, च्याम्खल)
People traditionally involved in cleaning works.
People belong to Newar racial group.
B) Terai Dalit (मधेशी मूल)
- Chamar (Ram, Mochi, Harijan, Ravidas) चमार (राम, मोची, हरिजन रविदास) (335,893) (Chamar is very large community in India with above 4.8 crore population incl UP almost 2 crore)
- Musahar (मुसहर) (234,490) (Around 28 Lakhs in India mostly in Bihar and UP)
- Dushadh (Paswan, Hajara) दुसाध (पासवान हजरा) // Pasi (पासी) (208,910) (40 lakhs in India)
- Dhobi (Rajak) Hindu धोवी (रजक- हिन्दु) (109,079) (In India about 1 crore 24 lakhs)
- Tatma (Tanti, Das) (तत्मा/तत्वा – ताँती, दास) (104,865)
- Khatwe (Mandal, Khang) (खत्वे- मण्डल, खङ्ग) (100,921)
- Bantar (बाँतर/सर्दार) (55,104) (Bantar in India accounts almost 127,000 mostly living in Bihar)
- Dom (Marik) (डोम-मरिक) (13,268)
- Kori (कोरी) (12,276)
- Mestar (Halkhor) (मेस्तर -हल्खोर) (4,003)
- Sarbhang (Sarbariya) सरभङ्ग (सरवरिया) (4,906)
- Natuwa (नटुवा) (3,062)
- Dharikar/ Dhankar (धरिकर/ धन्कार) (2,681)
- Dhandi (ढाँडी) (1,982)
- Chidimar (चिडिमार) (1,254)
- Kalar (कलर) (1,077)
- Kakaihiya (ककैहिया) X
- Khatik (खटिक) X