There 4.5 million Dalits in Nepal out of a total population of 24 million. This is almost 20 percent of the population. This figure does not include the janajatis, who make up 37 percent of the population. Dalits are discriminated against in both law and fact. Although some protective measures have been introduced in the law of Nepal, but these are not very strong and poorly implemented. Discrimination against Dalits and Janajatis is the overwhelming reality of Nepal's social structure. However, there are hierarchies and discrimination within the Dalit community with Kami, Sonar and Lohar (identified by the surname Biswakarma) at the so-called top of the hierarchy.
This paper gives a definition of Dalits and provides some statistical informatrion on this marginalised group in Nepal.
